Aug. 26, 1998
UFW suspends 26-day strike after death of David D’Arrigo
United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez on Wednesday (Aug. 26) announced suspension of the 26-day old strike by D’Arrigo Bros. Co. vegetable workers following the death Monday of David Andrew D’Arrigo, a top company manager and brother of the firm’s president, John D’Arrigo.
The union consulted with D’Arrigo strikers Tuesday before making the announcement. A meeting with company representatives resulted in an agreement under which all striking D’Arrigo workers would return to work on Friday, Aug. 28. A new date for negotiations was also set for Sept. 23.
Following is the text of a letter Rodriguez sent at the end of the business day on Tuesday to D’Arrigo attorney Geoffrey F. Gega of the law firm of Cook, Brown, Rediger & Prager, LLP in Santa Ana, Calif.
Out of respect for the D’Arrigo family following the tragic death Monday of David Andrew D’Arrigo, I have asked D’Arrigo Bros. Co. workers who have been participating in an unfair labor practice strike for 26 days to suspend their walkout and return to work beginning on Wednesday, August 26, 1998. This is an unconditional offer to return to work on behalf of all D’Arrigo workers who have been on strike.
I have also suspended all strike support activities directed towards wholesalers, retailers, consumers and other farm worker supporters in cities across the United States.
Although no conditions have been placed on this suspension in consideration of the D’Arrigo family, it is our hope that this gesture will help the parties return to the negotiating table and conclude a collective bargaining agreement that is acceptable to both sides.
We pray that the D’Arrigo family finds comfort in the good memories David leaves behind, in the presence of friends and family, and in the faith that David is safely in the hands of a compassionate and loving God.
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