100 Gerawan workers protest in reaction to attempted witness tampering; Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Fresno
Fresno, Calif.—An attempt to intimidate and tamper with the first witness to testify at least week’s hearing before a state administrative judge is sparking a protest Monday at 10 a.m. 100 Gerawan workers and supporters will be holding signs and black-eagle union flags outside the state building where the legal proceedings are currently underway.
On Friday, Oct. 3, Agricultural Labor Relations Board Regional Director Alegría De La Cruz filed a police report with the Fresno Police Department (Case No. 1472322) over the incident that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 30. UFW is informed that the police report accuses Belen and Rosie Solano, and Sergio Garcia, a Gerawan pesticide applicator, with attempting to intimidate ALRB witness Gustavo Vallejo during a break from testimony. The Solanos are daughters of Sylvia Lopez, believed to be handpicked by Gerawan Farming, Inc. to lead unlawful efforts to “decertify” or get rid of the UFW. According to reports, the three individuals threatened Vallejo by approaching him and stating that he could go to jail for testifying. In addition, although the victim had never previously met Gerawan pesticide applicator Garcia, Garcia reportedly named Vallejo’s supervisor and said the supervisor would talk with Vallejo when they were at church together the following Sunday.
Vallejo was testifying in support of claims by the State of California that the Gerawans illegally supported the drive to decertify the United Farm Workers. Vallejo was the first witness before ALRB Administrative Law Judge Mark R. Soble, who last week began hearing sworn testimony on sweeping indictments from state prosecutors charging Gerawan with multiple, serious and repeated violations of the law.
Who: One hundred Gerawan workers and supporters with signs and UFW flags.
What: Protesting attempts last week by pro-Gerawan workers to intimidate and tamper with the ALRB’s first witness.
When: 10:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.
Where: Outside the Hugh M. Burns State Building, 2550 Mariposa Ave., Fresno 93721.