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Mayor Brown hosts signing of first strawberry contract for UFW; state’s largest organic berry grower joins Rodriguez the day before Earth Day

10:15, April 21, contract signing, City Hall

Mayor Brown hosts signing of first strawberry contract for UFW; state’s largest organic berry grower joins Rodriguez the day before Earth Day

The United Farm Workers’ campaign to improve the lives of strawberry pickers will bear fruit Tuesday–the day before Earth Day–when UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and California’s largest organic berry grower sign a union contract at a ceremony hosted by Mayor Willie Brown in his City Hall office.

It marks the first contract with a strawberry producer since the UFW began its present organizing drive among berry workers. The organic firm, Swanton Berry Farms, employs 40 people during the harvest season. Large flats of pesticide-free berries bearing the UFW union label will be displayed at the event.

Swanton workers voted for the UFW in a state-conducted secret ballot election on Dec. 2 at the ranch in Davenport north of Santa Cruz after the owner agreed to remain neutral while laborers organized. Swanton will be the UFW’s 18th new agreement with a grower since a new union field organizing campaign began in many crops across the state in 1994.

WHO: Mayor Willie Brown hosting UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Swanton Berry Farms owner Jim Cochran and Swanton strawberry pickers.

WHAT: Signing the first UFW contract with a strawberry grower during the union’s present organizing campaign among berry workers.

WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, 1998.

WHERE: Mayor’s Office, City Hall, Room 207, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.

Swanton Berry Farms produces about 20% of California’s organic strawberry crop. The market for organic strawberries is rising even faster than the 20% per year growth rate for the organic industry as a whole.

The contract signing also comes two days before the fifth anniversary of UFW founder Cesar Chavez’s death.

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Highlights of United Farm Workers Contract with Swanton Berry Farms

Total package-Altogether, the UFW-Swanton Berry Farms contract provides a minimum of $8.60 worth of pay and benefits to workers at the Davenport, Calif. company. Many workers will receive more.

Wages-Minimum pay for entry level workers ranges from $7 to $8.75 per hour.

Rehiring-Strawberry workers with the highest seniority-the most time with the company-will be recalled first at the beginning of the harvest season or when work is available.

Health insurance-The Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan-a joint union-management administered trust fund regulated by the federal government-will provide comprehensive medical, dental and prescription drug coverage for Swanton employees and their families. The company will contribute the entire premium.

Pension plan-The company will contribute to the Juan de la Cruz Pension Plan, also a joint union-management administered trust fund regulated by the federal government, to insure workers have financial support when they retire.

Paid holidays and vacations-For the first time, workers will receive vacation pay. Paid holidays are Cesar Chavez’s birthday on March 31, Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.

Grievance and arbitration procedure-It will offer workers a system through which their rights will be protected and they can voice their concerns on key job-related issues.

Health and safety-The company will continue to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the health and safety of its workers.

Job training-On-the-job training will be provided under the union contract when workers fill vacancies or receive promotions.

Duration-The contract will expire on January 31, 1999.

Swanton Berry Farms web site: Swanton Berry Farms

Swanton Berry Farms

United Farm Workers web site: www.ufw.org