Governor signs bill to protect farm workers’ right to unionize

United Farm Workers President Arturo S. Rodriguez issued the following statement after Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 126, by state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento). The new law will let the Agricultural Labor Relations Board certify a union if employers’ election violations could affect the outcome of the balloting.

"Today, Governor Brown helped farm workers take their biggest step forward yet in the cause of fair treatment for farm workers by approving his proposal put into legislation by Sen. Steinberg. Under SB 126, if growers cheat during an election campaign, break the law and deny farm workers their right to have a union, then the Agricultural Labor Relations Board can certify the union."