Over 30,000 people marched in Watsonville in support of strawberry workers
Statement From Arturo S. Rodriguez, President
United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO
At Strawberry Workers March
Sunday, April 13, 1997–Watsonville, Calif.
Today we make history.
This is the biggest farm worker march ever.
This is the largest event supporting an organizing campaign in the recent history of the American labor movement.
This is the most stirring revival of that grand coalition that only a generation ago beat down the walls of segregation, ended an unjust war and galvanized Latino activism across the nation.
Today, strawberry workers are not alone.
Today the whole world is watching as thousands of strawberry workers battle nonviolently against the racism and exploitation that have plagued them for generations.
Today the whole world is watching this wealthy industry as it conspires to crush workers seeking to improve their lives.
Strawberry workers want what other farm workers have achieved through the UFW in roses and mushrooms and wine grapes and vegetables.
Fourteen times in recent years, farm workers have organized and voted for the UFW.
Fourteen times in recent years, farm workers have negotiated new UFW contracts with growers.
But every time strawberry workers have organized for a better life, they have faced certain retailiation.
When strawberry workers have tried to improve conditions, the strawberry industry has laid off workers, plowed under fields and shut down operations.
As this year’s harvest is beginning, strawberry workers with many years at their companies are being refused their jobs. Why? Because they have dared to demand clean bathrooms and drinking water. Because they dared to demand the first wage increase in more thana decade. Because they have deared to demand medical benefits for themselves and their families.
Strawberry workers should not be forced to choose between their jobs and organizing for a better life.
I have been with strawberry workers in homes where two families of 11 people crowd into small two-bedroom apartments. I have seen families where three generations live in miserable labor camps with nothing to show after decades of back-breaking labor in the strawberries.
Is it too much to ask for more from the strawberry industry that produces six hundred million dollars a year in sales?
Strawberry workers can choose the UFW in as many elections as they like. But they will never enjoy the blessings of a union contract without your across North America.
Decent people of good conscience cannot tolerate these injustices. The times demand action. We must all become angry.
As as free men and women, we must be unwilling to witness the misery and poverty that have plagued strawberry workers for generations.
Unless you take a stand, unless you become involved, these conditions will live on and on.
So as you leave Watsonville today, we ask for your commitment and involvement.
Will you go back to your unions and demand that growers rehire every strawberry worker who is the victim of discrimination?
Will you go back to your colleges and enlist other students in the nonviolent battle against oppression in the fields?
Will you go back to your congregations and ask every grocery store manager to sign the pledge to support strawberry workers’ rights?
If all of us undertake these simple sacrifices, I know strawberry workers will win–and then all workers in America will take a giant step forward.
Si Se Puede!