2 p.m. courthouse rally in Fresno
Hundreds of workers back ALRB bid for court order forcing Gerawan to implement their union contract
FRESNO—Hundreds of Gerawan Farming Inc. workers will rally at the Fresno County Courthouse at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, backing state officials who are asking Judge Jeffrey Y. Hamilton to order the giant tree fruit and grape grower to implement their union contract hammered out by a neutral state mediator.
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board is seeking an order requiring Gerawan, which markets produce through its Prima brand to obey the law by implementing the three-year mediator-drafted union contract that was supposed to go into affect on November 19, 2013. In 2013, the UFW negotiated wage increases of $1 to $2.50 an hour that were already implemented. In 2013, the UFW negotiated wage increases of $1 to $2.50 an hour that were already implemented. The contract would result in additional wage increases of 7.5 percent to 19.44 percent and other benefits and rights for Gerawan employees. For an estimated 5,000 Gerawan workers, the back wages and benefits under the contract would have conservatively translated into millions of dollars just covering July 2013 (when the contract would be in affect) to May 2014. The contract would produce millions of dollars more for workers during its duration.
The ALRB issued an official complaint against Gerawan on April 4, 2014 over the company’s refusal to implement the mediator’s legally binding contract that was approved by the ALRB board (2014-CE-003).
WHO: Hundreds of pro-UFW farm workers who want their union contract.
WHAT: Rally to support the ALRB’s legal bid to require Gerawan to implement the contract drafted by a neutral state mediator and approved by the state.
WHEN: 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014.
WHERE: Fresno County Courthouse at 1130 O St. and Fresno Ave., Fresno 93721.
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