We've just received word that our bill, SB789 "CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers" has reached the Governor’s desk. Please drop everything and immediately contact the Governor today.
We've sent this bill to the Governor twice before. We've made and heard all the arguments. The facts are simple. We all understand that California does not have the resources to enforce the laws on the books. They can't protect the more than 500,000 farm workers on 80,000 farms.
Farm workers are literally dying in the fields because they have no water to drink or shade to rest under. California's inability to enforce the laws has led to pesticide poisonings and sexual harassment on a massive scale.
No heat deaths have ever occurred on any farm where farm workers have a union contract.
End result, this bill will make it easier for farm workers to organize a union and protect themselves. It's time for the Governor to sign it. The Governor has protected agribusiness at the workers' expense for long enough.
Democratic Party Chairman John Burton says, "Before considering any state water deal, lawmakers and the governor must ensure that farm workers have access to clean, cool drinking water and shade. Current laws guaranteeing drinking water for farm workers are not being enforced, therefore the only recourse for farm workers to protect themselves would be through the collective bargaining process as provided for in SB789."
Please send the Governor an e-mail today.
