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Farm workers end longest-ever harvest-time strike

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Farm workers end longest-ever harvest-time strike

Farm workers at Flat Top Orchards, a mid-Columbia apple grower owned by the Yakima-based Borton and Sons, have ended a five-week strike over wage rollbacks, the longest organized work stoppage during harvest season in the history of the state. Management ultimately agreed to written disclosure of wage rates, a guarantee of piece-rate pay instead of the minimum wage, and a clause protecting against gender and age discrimination.

Representatives of the farm workers and their community supporters will discuss details of the settlement and the broader issues of freedom of association, working conditions, and amnesty for farm workers at a news conference today at noon at Seattle Pike Place Market with Lupe Gamboa of the United Farm Workers of America, Michael Ramos of the Washington State Council of Churches, and Steve Williamson of the King County Labor Council.

"It took enormous courage for these workers to stand together for so long," said Gamboa, UFW’s regional director. "I think their perseverance and dedication has surprised and alarmed the grower community, and ultimately will be seen as a turning point in the battle to organize our most exploited workforce, and collectively improve their working and living conditions."

The settlement at Flat Top represents the last of more than a dozen such wage-dispute settlements across Eastern Washington, where the number wildcat farmworker strikes reached an unprecedented level this season.