[mobglob-discuss] Back Giumarra workers organizing over grievances!

[Paul Browning]

Dear Friend,

I thought you might be interested in this United Farm Workers
e-activism campaign. 

You might have heard a lot recently about Giumarra Vineyards
Corp., the world's largest table grape grower with 4,000 peak
season workers in Kern and Tulare counties. Two farm workers who
died from extreme heat since last year labored at Giumarra.

But Giumarra workers have many other long-standing grievances.
They are now engaged in the largest farm worker organizing drive
since the 1970s. Workers vote Thursday in a state-conducted
secret ballot election on whether to be represented by the
United Farm Workers. Here are just some grievances Giumarra
workers have voiced:

* Workers packing grapes into lugs, or boxes, being forced to
labor eight hours a day on their knees with no umbrellas to
protect them against the sun. Nearly all other table grape
growers supply tables and umbrellas so packers can work standing
up in the shade.
* Illegally requiring that newly-hired pickers labor without pay
for several days, a week or sometimes as long as a month during
a "probationary period."
* Workers disciplined by being made to "take a seat" or endure a
"time out" for hours or even a day because supervisors are
displeased with how they pack or pick grapes. 
* Strict enforcement of quotas--picking a minimum number of
boxes per hour or day regardless of the crop quality. Workers
say carrillas, or speed-ups, constantly make them work faster
and harder, even in extreme heat. Many don't take legally
guaranteed work or lunch breaks--or even time to drink
water--out of fear they will be given time outs, suspended or
fired for not making quotas.
* Low pay. Workers now earn $7 an hour, up 25 cents in July
because of UFW pressure. The last wage hike was in 1992 except
for increases in the state minimum wage.
*Workers complain about being illegally required to provide
their own work tools. During winter pruning, piece rates are set
so low that workers sometimes don't make the minimum wage.
* Some workers say they must pay bribes to supervisors to keep
jobs or work overtime.

Tell Giumarra Vineyards Corp. to let its grape workers vote in a
free and fair election, without threats or intimidation. Go to: 
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/giumarra?rk=7daUtCp1jqbbW

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Click on the link below for more information
from your union, online activism and benefits.
http://www.unionvoice.org/
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