Target: Wendy’s, Publix, Kroger
April 9, 2014 7:14 PM   Subscribe

The CIW’s Campaign For Fair Food has been very successful at improving conditions in Florida's tomato fields. Even Wal-mart has signed on, agreeing to pay an extra penny per pound. But some large corporate buyers continue to refuse to cooperate, including Wendy’s, Publix, and Kroger.

Florida is one of the largest producers of tomatoes in the world, supplying nearly 150 million people across eastern North America with year-round (off-season) tomatoes. Working conditions in the Florida tomato fields are infamous. Allegations of sexual assault, and even slavery, are not uncommon. An individual worker is expected to pick over one ton of tomatoes per day, yet can earn as little as $12,000.00 per year.

The Coalition of Immokalee Worker’s Fair Food Program is an award winning labor movement that has begun to change those conditions. Both Frontline and Bill Moyers have reported on their good work. Even President Obama has recognized their efforts.

Of course, they do have opponents, who claim the coalition violates labor law.
posted by Flood (2 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
"The Worker Center Watch, an organization opposed to union organizing efforts…"

Yeah, don't care what these monsters have to say about anything.
posted by 1adam12 at 9:34 PM on April 9, 2014 [5 favorites]


That last link, I think is the real interesting story: employers starting to fight back against the not-quite-a-unions.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/177376/former-walmart-exec-leads-shadowy-smear-campaign-against-black-friday-activists#


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/business/as-worker-advocacy-groups-gain-momentum-businesses-fight-back.html?_r=0
posted by ocschwar at 8:46 AM on April 10, 2014 [1 favorite]


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