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California mushroom workers lead ‘human billboard’ to kick off boycott in Oregon

12 noon Tuesday, December 5,  at Pioneer Courthouse Square
California mushroom workers lead ‘human billboard’ to kick off boycott in Oregon
     

Workers from one of California’s largest mushroom producers will take their recently-called boycott of Pictsweet mushrooms to consumers in Oregon during visits this week to Portland and Eugene. It is the first time mushroom workers have taken their United Farm Workers-sponsored boycott, officially kicked off last September, outside California.

Two workers from Pictsweet Mushroom Farms in Ventura, Calif., north of Los Angeles, will join dozens of supporters in the heart of downtown Portland at noon Tuesday for a "human billboard" line holding signs urging motorists and passers-by to back the boycott.

More than 350 workers at the California Pictsweet plant earn up to 15% less than mushroom workers employed at other California fresh mushroom ranches where there are UFW contracts. Most have not seen a significant pay raise in four years. Pictsweet workers also want an end to on-the-job favoritism and a better medical plan.

Negotiations have gone on since January with Pictsweet refusing to respond to the workers’ basic demands, the UFW states. The Cesar Chavez-founded union has contracts protecting about 70% of the mushroom workers on California’s Central Coast.

Who:  Two Pictsweet Mushroom Farms workers from California plus dozens of farm worker supporters from Portland.

What: "Human billboard" line near the city’s huge Christmas tree urging motorists and passers-by to boycott Pictsweet mushrooms.

When: 12 noon, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2000.

Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square, downtown Portland.

12:15 pm Wednesday, December 6,  in Eugene
California mushroom workers lead ‘human billboard’ to kick off boycott in Oregon

     
Workers from one of California’s largest mushroom producers will take their recently-called boycott of Pictsweet mushrooms to consumers in Oregon during visits this week to Portland and Eugene. It is the first time mushroom workers have taken their United Farm Workers-sponsored boycott, officially kicked off last September, outside California.

Two workers from Pictsweet Mushroom Farms in Ventura, Calif., north of Los Angeles, will join dozens of supporters at the Free Speech Plaza in Eugene at 12 noon on Wednesday for a "human billboard" line holding signs urging motorists and passers-by to back the boycott.

More than 350 workers at the California Pictsweet plant earn up to 15% less than mushroom workers employed at other California fresh mushroom ranches where there are UFW contracts. Most have not seen a significant pay raise in four years. Pictsweet workers also want an end to on-the-job favoritism and a better medical plan.

Negotiations have gone on since January with Pictsweet refusing to respond to the workers’ basic demands, the UFW states. The Cesar Chavez-founded union has contracts protecting about 70% of the mushroom workers on California’s Central Coast.

Who:  Two Pictsweet Mushroom Farms workers from California plus dozens of farm worker supporters from Portland.

What: "Human billboard" line urging motorists and passers-by to boycott Pictsweet mushrooms.

When: 12:15 pm, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000.

Where: Free Speech Plaza, 125 East 8th (between Pearl and Oak Sts.) in Eugene.

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