Sign petition for Ostrom Mushroom workers

Sunnyside workers organized with UFW to demand better working conditions

The following is from the United Farm Workers:

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. (July 6, 2022) — Mushroom workers at Ostrom Mushroom Farm in Sunnyside are demanding a workplace free from threats, excessive pressure, harassment, and retaliation. The workers have democratically elected a committee to represent them. Workers held a general meeting June 28 and passed a resolution to be represented by the United Farm Workers.

On June 22, workers and community members marched to the company to deliver a petition signed by more than 200 workers demanding fair pay, safe working conditions, equal opportunities, and respect.

TAKE A STAND — Workers want to take this petition national. Will you sign on? Ostrom Mushroom Farm workers want the company to know that people nationally are paying attention to this issue. Stand with them in solidarity. Sign their petition today.

The petition reads:

“We call on Ostrom Mushroom Farm to provide a workplace free from threats, excessive pressure, harassment, and retaliation. The workers have democratically elected a committee to represent them and are demanding the company recognize their union to negotiate wages and working conditions. The women and men who harvest our food deserve better, I proudly support Ostrom Mushroom workers.”

Jose Martinez has worked for Ostrom for more than two years. He was elected to the worker committee in May and led the worker march to deliver the petition on June 22.

“We are fighting for a voice at work,” Martinez said. “We have come together to demand better working conditions. We will not stop fighting. We are just getting started, we demand to be treated like human beings.”

► From the Yakima H-R (June 23) — Ostrom Mushroom Farms workers in Sunnyside submit petition seeking fair pay, respect — Ostrom Mushroom Farm workers in Sunnyside delivered a petition to the company Wednesday demanding fair pay and safe working conditions. About 100 workers and community members, including United Farm Workers representatives, gathered in a park in Sunnyside and then went to the plant on Midvale Road to submit the petition. Workers earlier elected a leadership committee and organized to advocate for “fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect,” according to the petition. Several workers said conditions have become worse in the last 3-5 months.