California farmworkers begin 335-mile pilgrimage urging Newsom to sign labor rights bill

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UFW mentioned in its announcement that the march would started “on the farm employees’ historic ‘Forty Acres’ advanced in Delano, the place the union started 60 years in the past in September 1962. It ends on the state Capitol on August 26, which Governor Newsom proclaimed as ‘Farm Employee Appreciation Day.’” All through the 335-mile journey, two dozen cities have volunteered to assist feed and shelter weary marchers. “The march route traces the trail of the historic Cesar Chavez-led 1966 peregrinacion that first introduced the farm employees’ grievances earlier than the nation’s conscience,” UFW continued.

As beforehand famous, the laws would give farmworkers extra selections in how they will vote of their union elections, together with by way of mail, just like the state’s in style vote-by-mail system. “Today, they have to practically all the time vote on grower property, amidst cynical voter suppression by way of abuse and intimidation by foremen, supervisors, and labor contractors,” UFW mentioned. 

In vetoing a model of the invoice las yr, Newsom cited “numerous inconsistencies and procedural points associated to the gathering and evaluate of poll playing cards,” The Sacramento Bee beforehand reported. However the invoice has the sturdy assist of the labor motion, “as a result of it ought to be simpler, not tougher, to vote for a union free from intimidation,” UFW continued. The group mentioned that among the many marchers is Roberto Bustos, who was captain of the historic 1966 march. Carpenters Native 661 shared one picture with Dolores Huerta, legendary labor chief and UFW co-founder.

“The invoice continues to be making its approach by way of Sacramento,” The Fresno Bee reported. California Labor Federation Govt Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez, the previous meeting member who co-authored the invoice final yr, advised the outlet that “[s]he believes this yr’s invoice, with its amendments, addresses the governor’s earlier considerations.” She mentioned employers “make the most of lots of energy and coercion towards these employees to maintain them from organizing and it will simply assist make it safer, and supply extra applicable methods for them to prepare.” The invoice handed the meeting in late Could.

Manuel Gonzalez, a farmworkers of greater than twenty years, advised Vallejo Instances-Herald in March that the act is necessary to him as a result of he’s already confronted retribution from his earlier employer for union organizing.

“If I vote in entrance of the supervisor, I’m certain that they’re going to retaliate towards me,” he advised the outlet. “We wish to have the identical system because the politicians in California, like final yr, when Gov. Gavin Newsom confronted the recall and other people voted by way of mail. We’re asking for the very same factor.” UFW mentioned that whereas it requested to fulfill with Newsom on Chávez’s vacation, he declined.

“Farm employees feed the nation, however we’re denied fundamental rights different employees have,” winery employee Vianey Enriquez mentioned in March. “We need to vote the place we don’t have supervisors and labor contractors there pressuring us. It’s unattainable to have a free alternative when you’ve gotten the supervisor who threatened to fireplace anybody who voted for the union observing you.”

Click on right here to ship a message asking Gov. Newsom to assist the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Alternative Act. ¡Si, se puede!

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