Photo of JC7 Semi accompanying marchers on the way to Sacramento

Teamsters support Farmworkers
in Capitol action

When Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act this past June, a bill that would have made it easier for farm workers to unionize, the United Farm Workers (UFW) sprung to action—and the Teamsters were right there to back them up. A 13-day 200-mile march through the Central Valley by UFW members was followed by a large demonstration at the California Capitol in Sacramento on September 4.

Why the bill was important

The original bill, SB104, introduced by Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) was written to enable farm workers to obtain many of the same rights most employees in the state enjoy, such as overtime pay. Farm worker advocates contend that farmworkers are unfairly intimidated and harassed by their supervisors and farm operators in California when they seek union representation. In many cases, the secret ballot vote takes place on the farm, so many workers don’t vote for fear that they will be blacklisted from future employment if they are seen.

Photo of JC7 semi in front of the California State Capitol Building

Three years in a row, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the same bill. Advocates were hopeful that Gov. Brown would sign it, as this is the same governor who gave farm workers the right to unionize by secret ballot 36 years ago. They were surprised when Brown also vetoed the bill in June, claiming he was not convinced it was justified.

This prompted the group of about 50 UFW members to take on a 200-mile march starting in Madera and ending on the steps of the State Capitol. Their goal was to send Gov. Brown a message that the bill was very justified, and that farm workers demand fair treatment.

Teamsters support march and rally

A 200-mile trek is a long walk in the dry California heat, not to mention difficult to organize. The UFW reached out to the North Valley Labor Federation for assistance only one day before walkers were to arrive in Modesto. Ryan Camp, the NVLF community organizer, and member of Teamsters Local 386, knew where to start on such short notice. “In my six years as a union member I learned that if you want something done right and on short notice, call the Teamsters.”

Camp enlisted the help of Teamsters Local 386 President Jeff Berdion, as well as members Carlos Ortega and Gary Gonzales, to pick up 30 cases of donated water on Sunday. Gonzales and his wife marched with the farm workers from Ripon to Manteca. “I’m glad we got that water to them because it was hot and I was very thirsty after walking just four miles with them,” said Gonzales.

Camp then called on Teamsters Local 439 Secretary Treasurer Sam Rosas to supply the UFW marchers with lunch on Monday as they walked between Manteca and Stockton. “These were a very humble group of hard working people” says Teamster member Daniel Lee who drove the truck to deliver the lunches that day. “You could tell they were happy to have the support of the Teamsters as we followed behind them in Local 439’s truck.”

JC7 President Rome Aloise addresses the farmworkers' rally

The Teamsters followed the marchers into Stockton where the UFW held a rally at the court house, followed by dinner which was provided by Teamsters Local 601 at their union hall. “It was an honor to have them stay with us,” said Secretary-Treasurer Maria Ashley Alvarado.

The march culminated in a 5,000-person strong rally at the State Capitol on September 4. The Joint Council and many of its local unions were there in force, as was the Council’s new truck. As President Rome Aloise said, “We’ll be with you on this march, in the fields and in the legislature.”

See more pictures of Joint Council 7 at the Farmworkers' march and rally.