Hundreds of delegates attend the United Farm Workers’ Union 22nd Constitutional Convention in Bakersfield

Under the theme of “every worker is an organizer,” Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield played host to the United Farm Workers’ Union 22nd Constitutional Convention this week, drawing support from the Biden White House along with speakers Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Adam Schiff. 

“UFW has really punched above its weight, “ said Neera Tanden, who serves as Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden and addressed the UFW delegates. Tanden emphasized the collaboration between the farmworker union founded by Cesar Chavez and the Biden White House in providing more protections for the nation’s farmworkers. Citing the death of Maria Isabel Vazquez Jimenez, a 17-year-old pregnant farmworker who died from heat stroke in 2008 while working in the fields, Tanden touted the July launching of a new rule to prevent heat-related illnesses in the workplace, as climate change brings hotter temperatures around the country. California already has some of the nation’s most stringent heat protections. 

“We really looked at California’s law where we developed our own rule, it is a national model, and California’s happened in part because of UFW’s leadership,” said Tanden. The proposed rule is under development. “We expect if there is a Harris administration, it will be the law of the land next year,” said Tanden.

PRESIDENT CLAIMS 80% IN UNION GROWTH

In her President’s Report, UFW head Teresa Romero said the union had an 80% membership growth in the past two years, in part because of new labor organizing laws in California and New York. Under the card check law, it allows employees to organize into a labor union in which a majority of employees in a bargaining unit sign authorization forms or cards, stating they wish to be represented by a union. 

“We continue fighting! We are going to grow, they are going to fight us, but that’s not going to stop us,” said Romero in an interview. 

Romero said UFW has won seven elections at different sites in New York, has negotiated contracts with two companies, and is in negotiations with five others. Many of the farmworkers pick apples in upstate New York and are from Jamaica. Delegates said having UFW as their bargaining representative has made a difference. 

“It’s made a huge difference, because last year after we finished the crop, some of my co-workers got a letter saying that you’re not coming back because you did not meet the production standard, “ said Rohan Welsh, a delegate from Wolcott, New York. “But since the union, they fight for us and the farmworkers are back working,” said the 42-year-old Welsh who said his family in Jamaica depend on his earnings to survive.

But the membership gains through the card check rule may be in jeopardy, at least in California. The ag industry is challenging the card check law in court. Earlier this year, a Kern County Superior Court judge issued a ruling temporarily halting UFW organizing efforts at Wonderful Co. nursery in Wasco. Wonderful Co. argued the card check law was unconstitutional. The Kern County judge said Wonderful Co. was “likely to prevail” in its lawsuit. Other UFW elections secured through the card check law could potentially be wiped away if Wonderful Co. prevails. 

“We hope that won’t happen,” said Romero. 

Among the resolutions approved by delegates was a resolution honoring the contributions of immigrant farmworkers and advocating for immigration reform. It called on UFW leadership to take the lead in creating and advocating for the establishment of a Deferred Action Work Permit Program specifically for undocumented farmworkers, providing them with temporary legal status and work authorization while they await comprehensive immigration reform. 

Martin Nambo, a delegate representing D’Arrigo Brothers in Salinas said it takes an effort by all workers to accomplish the goals set forth. “We as farmworkers have to get involved and help the union because the union cannot do it all by itself, “ said the 58-year-old Nambo. “All of us are the union and we all have to fight for what is just.”