Stockton, CA – Some 800 workers laboring in California’s Central Valley for one of the largest fresh tomato companies in the United States will celebrate Thursday when the United Farm Workers and Pacific Triple E sign their first union contract during a ceremony in Stockton. UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez will be joined by the farm workers’ negotiating committee and Pacific Triple E Operating Partner Jon Esformes in signing the agreement.
"As a fourth generation family owned company we have always held our relationship with our workforce in the highest regard. For over 50 years we have worked diligently to ensure that our co-workers are always treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. When the UFW approached us last fall we found that we held many common ideals which allowed us to quickly establish a line of communication that was honorable, transparent and non-confrontational," Esformes said. The Tracy-based Pacific Triple E is a fourth generation family owned company.
"Working with the UFW will allow us to continue to enhance the level of mutual respect we have enjoyed for many years. This relationship will also help us to ensure that our farms continue to provide the safest, fairest agricultural jobs in the San Joaquin Valley," he said.
"It’s a great victory for these workers,” Rodriguez said. “The three-year contract we are signing with Pacific Triple E also makes them the best-paid tomato workers in the nation. We look forward to partnering with Pacific Triple E in building a strong, long-term relationship," he added.
The contract provides wage increases of 12 to 57.4 percent over the life of the agreement for hourly and daily rate employees. Other highlights of the contract include a pension plan, grievance procedure, seniority and job security.
Who: Pacific Triple E Operating Partner Jon Esformes, UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez, farm workers’ negotiating committee members.
What: Signing UFW contract with one of the nation’s largest tomato companies.
When: Thursday, June 28, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: 111 South Sutter St, Stockton, California 95202