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Sakuma workers win better deal, but want union contract

The following is from Latino Advocacy:

sakuma-fw-dignityBURLINGTON, Wash. (June 24, 2015) — Members of the board of the independent farmworker union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia, met Tuesday morning with Ryan Sakuma, owner of Sakuma Farms, to negotiate a new pay rate. Farmworkers reported the most recent abuse against them to the union; Sakuma Farms imposed a new pay rate demanding farmworkers to pick 35 pounds per hour to be able to earn $10 per hour. The company told the farmworkers if they didn’t meet this standard, they would first receive a warning, and if they continue not meeting the goal, they would be fired.

Tuesday morning 200 workers, almost all members of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, were ready for another work stoppage, but their negotiating team was able to get an agreement with Ryan Sakuma. The agreement entails to pick 15 pounds to earn $10 per hour.

“We can’t keep negotiating our wages every day, that’s why we need a union contract,” said Ramon Torres, President of Familias Unidas por la Justicia. The independent union vows to continue the fight for a union contract and continue boycotting the Sakuma label and Driscoll berries.

For more information, visit BoycottSakumaBerries.com.

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