Yesterday, California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed sign the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act, allowing farmworkers to privately fill out state-issued ballots for union elections. The bill passed both houses of the California Legislature in August and will dramatically increase the rights of California’s approximately 400,000 farmworkers.
United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez praised the governor’s decision to sign the bill stating, “Today, Governor Brown helped farm workers take their biggest step forward yet in the cause of fair treatment for farm workers by approving his proposal put into legislation by Sen. Steinberg. Under SB 126, if growers cheat during an election campaign, break the law and deny farm workers their right to have a union, then the Agricultural Labor Relations Board can certify the union.”
In late August, hundreds of farmworkers, organized by the <a href= “www.ufw.org” target= “_blank”>United Farm Workers”</a>, embarked on a 12 day, 167 mile pilgrimage from the Central Valley to Sacramento, CA to urge Governor Jerry Brown (D) to sign the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act.
Statement of United Farm Workers 10/9/11; People’s World 9/16/11; Feminist Daily Newswire 8/22/11
