Wasco’s former Jackson & Perkins offers largest severance agreement in AG history;
UFW CONTRACT RESULTS IN $1.6 MILLION SEVERANCE PACKAGE FOR FARM WORKERS AFTER COMPANY SELLS
What: After Jackson & Perkins, located in Kern County, decided to sell its business in June of this year, the UFW immediately began negotiations with the company over a severance package for farm workers who would be left without a job.
A total of 665 workers will be among those benefiting from a $1.6 million severance agreement that will be signed Thursday. According to the UFW, the agreement is the largest awarded to farm workers laboring in agriculture.
Using a UFW formula, the $1.6 million will be made in individual payments to workers.
NOTE: Press conference will be in English.
When: Thursday, August 16, 2007, 11:00 a.m.
Where: 29341 Kimberlina Road, Wasco, California (Signage will be made available)
Who: UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Former Jackson & Perkins CEO Bill Williams, Farm worker Isabel Rojas
Visuals: Signing of severance pay agreement by Arturo Rodriguez and Bill Williams. Barbeque celebration with farm workers afterward.