Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.
Gerawan Farms workers to deliver holiday greetings card to employer with a wish: implementation of their union contract
State’s Agricultural Labor Relations Board ordered implementation of contract last month but company has refused to honor
Fresno, CA – On Tuesday, dozens of Gerawan Farms Inc. employees plan to deliver a Christmas card at the company’s corporate offices in Fresno, wishing their employer happy holidays and asking that it implement the workers’ first union contract. The state’s Agricultural Labor Relations Board ordered the three-year contract into immediate effect on November 19, 2013, but Gerawan has refused to implement it and has thereby denied its workers the right to finally enjoy the benefits of union representation and hard fought improvements at their workplace.
The Christmas card includes signatures from Gerawan employees and signatures gathered from supporters through an online petition. Besides including substantial wage increases, additional paid holidays, such as Christmas Day, and other worker protections, the contract also secured retroactive pay of some of those benefits.
"We could use this extra money they owe us in delayed benefits to have an even happier holiday season. Unfortunately, Gerawan Farming continues to deny us that right,” said Guadalupe Martinez. "This has caused us – Gerawan workers – the inability to benefit from a union contract, adding much stress and frustration to us and our families this holiday season."
WHAT: Gerawan Farms employees will deliver a Christmas card to Gerawan Farms Inc. Corporate Office.
WHEN: Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 2 p.m.
WHERE: 7108 N. Fresno St., Suite 450, Fresno, CA, 93720.
WHO: Several dozen of Gerawan Farms workers and UFW representatives.
VISUALS: Gerawan Farms workers, a Christmas card signed by the employees and petitioners.
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