Joint statement by the United Farm Workers and Beef Northwest.
Beef Northwest and the UFW are pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement tentative agreement resolving our labor dispute. Our agreement is predicated on a mutually agreed upon process by which Beef Northwest employees will decide if they want union representation.
New contracts renegotiated with seven companies.
We’re happy to let you know that hundreds of workers have new benefits after union representatives renegotiated new improved contracts. These contracts include:
November 2008: Workers at Gilroy’s Countryside Mushrooms will enjoy wage increases and better medical coverage due to the 3 year contract they signed in Nov. 2008. Their medical coverage will be brought under the union's Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan. The workers' monthly payments will be reduced from $200 to nothing and they’ll be provided with medical, dental and vision dental coverage. The workers will now be covered under the JDLC Pension Plan and receive an 8.6% increase in wages though the life of the contract. Other benefits include the workers’ board receiving paid time to hold weekly meetings and give an orientation regarding the contract to new employees.
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In March, the UFW renegotiated our contract with the organic strawberry company Swanton Berry. With this new contract, workers will enjoy wage increases and better medical coverage in this 3 year contract. The workers have been brought under the union's Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, providing medical and dental coverage for the workers. The workers will have a 15.3% increase in their wages thought the life of the contract. The workers now have two retirement plans. One is JDLC where the company is contributing 25 cents per hour worked and the other one is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
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Two weeks ago, we signed a new three year contract with Huntington Farms. Tractor drivers and irrigators at this company will now enjoy a better medical and dental plan—with no deductions. Their pension plan benefits have also improved and workers will receive a 7-8% increase in pay over the life of the contract.
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In August, wine grape workers at Sonoma’s Baletto Farms renegotiated a 5-year UFW contract that provided an 4% yearly wage increase, allowed for an extra paid holiday (8 per year total), increased vacation pay and allowed for an optional medical benefit.
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This week, a contract was signed with Moorepark, CA’s Muranaka Farms. These vegetable workers are excited to have improved their pension plan, negotiated additional vacation time and earned a wage increase. The contract includes language that requires the company to renegotiate wages if minimum wage goes up and protects the workers by including non-discrimination language.
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Citrus workers at Coachella Growers/Sun Desert renegotiated their contract in August. These Blythe, CA area workers achieved a total of 7% wage increase over the next 3 years.
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In February, a contract was renegotiated at HMS which produces dates and citrus. These Coachella area workers will get an 8% wage increase over the next 3 years. They also increased their medical benefits.
When you buy your holiday wine please remember that the UFW has launched Black Eagle Wines where we sell wine produced under UFW contract by farm workers who have decent wages, healthcare and a pension. The proceeds help support the UFW's organizing.
Lastly, as you buy for the holidays we want to remind you to look for the union label. When you buy these union labels you help make union companies successful, and encourage non-union companies to get with the program. Click here to see a list of UFW union labels.
As we celebrate the season of giving and gather around the table we want to thank you for helping us make these and numerous other accomplishments possible throughout the last year.
Si Se Puede!
Arturo Rodriquez succeeded Cesar Chavez to become the current President of the United Farm Workers Union. |
