You can provide vital help to the farm workers at Gerawan Farming in California who are fighting for their rights. Please SAVE THE DATES to attend one of the events (see below) in LONG BEACH, CA on March 24th,or SAN FRANCISCO, CA on March 31st or WASHINGTON, DC on April 7th.
Just as importantly, please SPREAD THIS CALL TO ACTION to your colleagues and friends in those metro areas urging them to show up and support farm workers.
Background
Gerawan Farming is one of the U.S.’s largest tree fruit and grape producers with more than 5,000 workers. Gerawan sells its Prima label throughout the country. The company is refusing to implement a contract with the United Farm Workers ordered by the California mediator in 2013 under the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act.
- If the workers had had their contract, among other benefits:
They would not have had to work last Thanksgiving day - Between July of 2013 and July of 2014, most Gerawan workers would have earned approximately $1,480 in additional money each.
The UFW is continuing its successful strategy of getting resolutions passed in City Councils around the country which call on Gerawan Farming to obey the laws and implement a contract with its workers. Thus far, LA City Council (October 2014), Berkeley City Council (October 2014) and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board (February 2015) have all passed resolutions….and more are coming.
See attached: an LA Times articles on the LA City Council action and the underhanded tactics Gerawan used to retaliate, as well as a copy of the LA City Council Resolution.
The farm workers at Gerawan are asking for our solidarity. Let’s bring out as many people possible to the Long Beach, San Francisco and Washington D.C. actions. Si Se Puede!
MARCH 24th in Long Beach, CA
UFW event when the Long Beach City Council will vote on a resolution to tell Gerawan Farming to obey the law.
4:00 PM — Meet at Harvey Milk Park, 212 E Third St, Long Beach, CA 90802 for a march to Long Beach City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, Ca. 90803.
4:30 PM — Press Conference on the steps of City Hall before the 5:00pm City Council vote.
Please confirm that you plan to join the Gerawan Farm Workers to march in Long Beach!
MARCH 31st in San Francisco
UFW event when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote on a resolution to tell Gerawan Farming to obey the law!
12 NOON — Meet at 5th & Market Streets and march to the City Hall (1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl #244, San Francisco, CA 94102). Press conference around 12:30pm. The Board of Supervisors vote will be around 2pm.
Please confirm that you plan to join the Gerawan Farm Workers on the picket line and march in San Francisco!
APRIL 7th in Washington, DC
Major UFW event when the D.C. City Council will vote on a resolution to tell Gerawan Farming to obey the law.
8:00 AM — Start with a picket line and then march from Grover Norquist’s office (Americans for Tax Reform) at 722 12th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 to the D.C. City Hall at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC 20004. Press conference around 9am outside of City Hall. The City Council vote will be around 10am.
Please confirm that you plan to join the Gerawan Farm Workers who are coming from California to DC!
For more information, contact Irv Hershenbaum, UFW, Irvhershenbaum@hotmail.com or cell # 661-979-6270.
