U.S.: Sakuma farmworkers vote yes for union - FreshFruitPortal.com

U.S.: Sakuma farmworkers vote yes for union

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U.S.: Sakuma farmworkers vote yes for union

After a series of walk-outs in recent months and delayed negotiations, farmworkers at Washington State berry growerĀ Sakuma Brothers Farms have voted to be represented by the unionĀ Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ).

The vote marks a milestone in what has been a heated labor relations conflict for the last three years, which hasĀ included a call onĀ the public to boycott aĀ well-known company that sources the farm's berries -Ā Driscoll's.

In April last year Sakuma CEO Danny Weeden was adamant union negotiations were off the table, but on June 27 this year aĀ Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was given to the FUJ to establish a process for a secret ballot union election.

In a release, the FUJ said workers votedĀ on Sept. 12Ā to have the union represent themĀ in negotiations for a union contract, with a 77% majority.

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FUJ represents over 500 Triqui, Mixteco, and Spanish speaking workers at the farm, and was formed in July 11, 2013, with the aim of securing a better future for hand harvesters in the local berry fields of Whatcom and Skagit County.

The union said that afterĀ Sakuma agreed to a union election, FUJ worked with the growerĀ to jointly develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) laying out a fair election process resulting in the recentĀ win.

"This win is a win for all farmworkers," said FUJ president Ramon Torres.

"Now we will be getting ready for a union contract negotiation process."

"We want to thank all our supporters that helped made this victory happen,Ā and we are looking forward to a new and productive relationship with Sakuma," added FUJ vice presidentĀ Felimon Pineda.

At the time of writing Sakuma Brothers representatives had not yet responded to requests for comment.

Headline photo: www.shutterstock.com

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