Res. No. 693
Resolution calling upon Gerawan Farming to respect their workers, and implement the agreement ordered by the contract terms set by the mediator
By Council Members Miller, Johnson and Rosenthal
Whereas, Gerawan Farming, is one of the nation's largest grape and tree fruit producers, with roughly 5,000 employees, that sells its produce through its Prima® label; and
Whereas, In 1990, Gerawan farm workers voted to join the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) in a state-conducted secret-ballot election, which was a major organizing drive under Cesar Chavez's leadership; and
Whereas, In 2013, Gerawan workers invoked a California law allowing neutral state-appointed mediators to decide union contracts when employers refuse to sign them, and in late 2013, the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) ordered that the three-year contract was to take immediate effect; and
Whereas, Gerawan Farms refuses to implement the ALRB order; and
Whereas, The plight of the workers at Gerawan Farms has been taken up by people across the country, including New York City; and
Whereas, A Farm Workers Luncheon was held in New York City on November 20th, 2014 by the New York State AFL-CIO and New York City Central Labor Council, along with union affiliates including the Office and Professional Employees International Union, United Federation of Teachers, 1199SEIU, 32BJ, Transport Workers Union Local 100, Communications Workers of America Local 1102, and UNITE HERE Local 100, among others to galvanize support for the Gerawan farm workers; and
Whereas, Workers resolutions urging Gerawan to obey and implement the UFW contract have been passed by: Berkeley City Council on October 6, 2014, Los Angeles City Council on October 22, 2014, Los Angeles Unified School District on February 10, 2015, San Francisco Board of Supervisors on March 31st, Oxnard School Board on April 15, and Oakland City Council on April 21, 2015; and
Whereas, According to media reports, in April 2015, Gerawan Farms has taken its case to California 5th District Court of Appeals, and is alleging that the mandatory mediation process is unconstitutional; and
Whereas, The latest legal action by Gerawan Farms is likely to further delay the resolution of this labor dispute; and
Whereas, Farm workers in California, like workers in New York State, deserve to have their labor respected; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Gerawan Farming to respect their workers, and implement the agreement ordered by the contract terms set by the mediator
LS# 4476
May 4, 2015
GZ