Gallo Wines is afraid of you

[Liberty Belle]

Lately, Gallo Wines is worried about too much publicity. And more specifically, they're worried about the Internet. Why? Because they're doing something wrong.


The Gallos are one of America's wealthiest winemaking families, but their seasonal contract workers often endure miserable living conditions without health benefits. The Gallos are right about one thing--they should be very, very worried about the power of the Internet. By adding your name to the Gallo boycott, you'll send a message to Gallo confirming their worst fears--that exploiting workers can have a very high cost.


http://www.purpleocean.org/nogallo


Already, tens of thousands of people from across the country have pledged their support in this boycott, started by the United Farm Workers. It's simple: by standing together, we can convince the Gallos to do the responsible thing. Actions have consequences--and with your help, the Gallos are about to find out that they can't get away with mistreating their workers.


http://www.purpleocean.org/nogallo


The famous winemakers have already been found guilty in 2004 by the State of California of illegally trying to get rid of their workers' union, the Cesar Chavez-founded United Farm Workers. Add your name to the boycott and join Americans across the country in sending a strong message for economic justice.


http://www.purpleocean.org/nogallo


Your support means so much to the workers in California. Thank you.


In solidarity,
Andy Stern


P.S. Please take a moment to forward this email to your family and friends. Every person who adds their voice to the boycott brings us a step closer to victory.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. I'll admit I don't drink but hey anything to help the workers

[silverlib]

2. Happy to sign

I knew there was a boycoot and had been supporting it, silently, because I didn't know there was a place to have a voice.

It worked with Taco Bell! and hopefully, it will work with Gallo.

[ClintonTyree]

3. I wouldn't drink Gallo wine on a dare........

but what the heck, I'll sign the petition. These people deserve better than what the Gallo's are giving them. Much better!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. I hear you, not even a double dog dare.

Rank stuff indeed.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. Done

[Bombtrack]

5. More people named Gallo who are horrible

[Darwins Finch]

8. Don't forget Bob Gallo

The egocentric virologist who mucked up AIDS research for a good many years, in an effort to increase his own fame. (See "And The Band Played On", book or film.)

[im10ashus]

6. Gallo!

They will serve no wine, without a crime! Signing the petition now.

:kick:

[deutsey]

7. Purple Ocean is a good activist group to register with

Same with www.workingamerica.org

[theHandpuppet]

9. Gallo is a major contributor to the Democratic Party

http://vfp92.org/CorporateDonors.html

Their previous contributions have not been without controversy: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/01/reform.html

Since I have often been a very vocal critic of businesses which donate heavily to the GOP, such as Dell Computers and WalMart, it's only fair that I point out that Gallo is in the blue camp. It's very disappointing (even moreso from a blue business) to hear that their workers are treated so poorly.

[Xithras]

12. Their workers are treated very well.

I know many people who work for Gallo here in Modesto, and their employees all have union representation, full health and vision benefits, vacation, and other perks. The controversy here revolves solely around non-Gallo employees who work for subcontractors.

[theHandpuppet]

14. Thank you for the clarification

Do you have a link where I can find more information? I would like to know more before I jump into the discussion any further. I think it would behoove us all to be a little more informed on this particular situation.

[Xithras]

17. The UFW has a few sites with their side.

Gallo hasn't been doing much publicizing of their side of the controversy at all, but you can probably get the gist of it by reading the UFW literature.

It basically boils down to this: The UFW wants fieldworkers employed by subcontractors to be treated like Gallo employees. Gallo agreed to some job protections for them many years ago, but is refusing to go any further. A balanced view would be that both sides actually have valid arguments in their favor, but that this is a far more complex issue than your typical owner/employee labor dispute.

UFW demonization aside, the Gallo's are solid Democrats and are very well known in this area for their generous contributions. They donate to just about every charity that asks, when the city of Modesto realized that it wasn't going to be able to afford to build its multi-million dollar performing arts center, they stepped in and underwrote most of the project themselves, they give millions a year to area childrens groups, arts groups, and musicians, and really do fit most peoples definition of "good people". It's truly unfortunate that they haven't been able to resolve this dispute with the UFW.

[mattclearing]

10. Beyond the labor issue, who the hell drinks Gallo?

You might as well drink MGD. Blech.

[Xithras]

11. What exactly do they want Gallo to do?

Just curious. Gallo pretty much dominates the industrial base here in the Modesto area, and you can't live here without knowing people who work for the company. I'm somewhat familiar with the UFW's complaint, but don't get what they want Gallo to do about it. The migrant farmworkers in question aren't Gallo employees, they aren't paid by Gallo, they aren't insured by Gallo, and better than half of them aren't even here legally. They say they want a living wage, but in an area where they AVERAGE home price is around $400,000 (that's for a cookie cutter 1200sf subdivision house), a living wage would be $50,000 a year or more. Those kind of wages would force Gallo to eliminate manual grape gathering entirely!

Perhaps I'm a bit defensive because I know too many blue collar Gallo employees who will be hurt if this boycott succeeds, but I honestly don't get why the UFW thinks that its members should get the pay and benefits of Gallo employees, when they don't even work for Gallo.

[The Great Deceiver]

13. shitty wine

i'll sign

that rhymed

it's that time

*ahem*

[Squatch]

15. Gallo owns more than just Gallo

Anapamu Cellars
Bridlewood Winery
Frei Brothers
Indigo Hills
Louis M Martini
MacMurray Ranch
Marcelina Vineyards
Mirassou
Napa Valley Vineyards
Rancho Zabaco Winery
Turning Leaf Coastal Reserve
Redwood Creek


Imported wines owned by Gallo:
Bella Sera
Black Swan
Davinci
Ecco Domani
McWilliams Hanwood Estate
Red Bicyclette
Whitehaven

And others. I don't touch Gallo products. They're the Wal-Mart of wine.