Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes AB 2386, secret ballot election reform

We need to share some very disappointing news with you and then ask you to e-mail Gov. Schwarzenegger and let him know how you feel. Last week, the Governor vetoed AB 2386, a vital bill to reform secret ballot elections for farm workers. With this single stroke of his pen, the governor denied farm workers the tool they need to protect themselves. While we are disappointed with the Governor's veto, sadly we are not surprised.

When the governor vetoed a bill with similar goals last year, his veto message said, "I am directing my Labor and Workforce Development Agency to work with the proponents of this bill to ensure that all labor laws and regulations are being vigorously enforced, and to make it absolutely clear to all concerned that my veto is premised on an expectation that agricultural workers receive the full protections of the law."

Tragically this has not happened. During the black summer of 2008, as many as six farm workers died due to heat-related causes.

Governor Schwarzenegger's enforcement has not saved lives. And his administration has not "rigorously enforced" the law. In May of this year, 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died of heat illness, working for Merced Farm Labor. The Associated Press reported that the state ignored collecting the fine on Merced Farm Labor for not complying with heat regulations back in 2006. Worse, the state also did not perform follow-up inspections. Consequently, young Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died while working at a company that provided no shade, did not have adequate water, and had no emergency plan in place. All due to the same type of negligence Cal-OSHA had fined the same company for in 2006. After Maria Isabel's death, the Governor boasted that enforcement was at its highest level. Yet sadly, the lives of five more farm workers were lost this past summer.

In last week's veto message, the Governor says he can enforce the laws. But his words ring hollow. The support of poor farm workers means so much less to him than the support of big money agricultural interests. We also know that had it not been for the Governor's fundraising agenda, or had we been a rich organization the Governor may have been willing to sign a bill for farm workers.

Please e-mail the Governor today!

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

You're no different than Gov. Pete Wilson when it comes to Latinos. I'm very disappointed in you.

After the death of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez you said, "Maria's death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate." You promised to "work together in California to prevent this from happening to anyone else."

Instead you vetoed the very bill that could give farm workers a voice to protect themselves.

Just like when you vetoed a bill with similar goals last year, you said you would step up regulatory enforcement.

However, since you made your original promise last year, as many as six farm workers died due to heat-related causes during the black summer of 2008.

Your enforcement has not saved lives. And your administration has not "rigorously enforced" the law. In May of this year, 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died of heat illness, working for Merced Farm Labor. The Associated Press reported that the state ignored collecting the fine on Merced Farm Labor for not complying with heat regulations back in 2006. Worse, the state also did not perform follow-up inspections.

Consequently, young Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died while working at a company that provided no shade, did not have adequate water, and had no emergency plan in place. All due to the same type of negligence Cal-OSHA had fined the same company for in 2006. After Maria Isabel's death, you boasted that enforcement was at its highest level. Yet sadly, the lives of five more farm workers were lost this past summer.

Your words ring hollow. The support of poor farm workers means so much less to you than the support of big money agricultural interests. I believe if had it not been for your fundraising agenda, or if the UFW was a rich organization you may have been willing to sign a bill for farm workers instead of again putting their lives in jeopardy.

I'm disappointed in you. I expected better.

Sincerely,
barb howe
[Your address]

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