Bill allows majority signup in farm union votes (anniversary of Maria's death in 08)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/16/3631496/bill-allows-majority-signup-in.html

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The state Legislature has passed a bill that would give farm workers an alternative to secret ballots in deciding whether to join a union.

The Assembly approved SB104 on a 51-25, party-line vote Monday. It would allow field laborers to organize by submitting a petition to the state instead of holding a secret-ballot election.

Workers would sign and turn in state-issued representation cards. If the state determined the cards had been signed by a majority of workers, the union would be certified without holding an election.

The legislation was passed previously in the Senate and now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown.

Supporters said workers are susceptible to intimidation during on-site elections. But proponents say the bill will make it easier to unionize, and that eventually would drive up food prices.


SB 104 to go to CA Assembly floor on May 16 anniversary of Maria Isavel's death

http://action.ufw.org/page/speakout/sb104assembly?source=web

Three years ago on May 16, 2008, the life of 17-year old Maria Isavel Vasquez Jimenez was tragically cut short when she died of heat stroke from laboring in the scorching grape vineyards near Stockton. In March of this year, the system again failed Maria and her family when the labor contractors who caused Maria's death escaped jail time, receiving merely probation, community service and a small fine.

Maria's family and farm workers in general are outraged. They know what this means for them. It means there is no justice in the fields, and that growers and contractors can continue to disregard the laws, even if that means farm workers die as a result. They want a solution where they can protect themselves as the system isn't going to do it for them.

The Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act (SB 104), is that solution. It will ensure the laws on the books do become the laws in the fields. This new law will make it as easier for farm workers to have a union and thus have the opportunity to speak up and protect themselves.

"The Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act" passed the senate on Cesar Chavez' March 31 birthday. It will be voted on the Assembly on the May 16th anniversary of Maria Isavel's death. Maria's family will be among the more than one hundred farm workers who will be in Sacramento to lobby for this bill.