Aug. 19, 1998
Jackson to D’Arrigo: ‘time for you to sign a union contract is long overdue’
Rev. Jessie L. Jackson Sr. has written a letter urging D’Arrigo Bros. Co. President John D’Arrigo "to negotiate a contract directly with United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez." Following is the complete text of Rev. Jackson’s letter, which was sent this week to D’Arrigo’s Salinas headquarters:
I am concerned about recent events concerning striking D’Arrigo workers in California, and am writing to encourage you to negotiate a contract with the United Farm Workers of America.
Hundreds of farm workers are now participating in a strike over unfair labor practices at D’Arrigo and failed contract negotiations. They have clearly expressed their desire and their right to be represented by the [UFW]. In 1975, vegetable workers in your fields voted to be represented by the UFW. In 1977, the UFW was certified to represent these workers. It is a travesty of justice that D’Arrigo workers are still working without a contract. The time for you to sign a union contract is long overdue.
D’Arrigo workers want to negotiate for a pension plan, job security and a grievance procedure. I understand that your response has been to threaten to replace workers who are striking. This would be an unfortunate step on your part. The workers have called on you to sit down and negotiate with D’Arrigo and the [UFW and] agree on a union contract. This would be the best course of action.
I encourage you to negotiate a contract directly with United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez. I look forward to the day when the "Andy Boy" brand is accompanied by a union label. Thank you for your consideration.
In recent weeks, hundreds of the huge grower’s 900 Salinas Valley harvest workers have walked off their jobs in protest over D’Arrigo’s failure to bargain in good faith and sign a union contract 23 years after field laborers voted for the UFW. D’Arrigo workers voted for the UFW in a state-conducted secret ballot election held in 1975, shortly after California’s farm labor law took effect.
– end –