When Food Workers Rebel: Solidarity Events










Moderator’s
Note: The historic strike of the indigenous berry pickers at Sakuma
Brothers in Washington State continues despite renewed efforts by the growers at
intimidation and strikebreaking. These acts of intimidation have included the
hiring of private contractors to act as thugs – threatening the workers by engaging
in blatant acts of surveillance and other harassment. It is the 1960s all other
again, only instead of California it is Washington; instead of the UFW, it is an
independent association of autonomous workers; instead of the Teamsters it is
private contractors; but the struggles and demands pretty much remain the same.




In the meantime, the workers’ movement continues to build a
vast network of solidarity in Skagit County and beyond as it sustains the
struggle and intensifies the boycott against Sakuma Brothers. I am posting an invitation
from the Bellingham, WA-based Dignity Campaign for us to attend a rally on October
5. Please make plans to attend this coming Saturday.




Solidarity
Rally in Burlington, WA


GATHERING SUPPORT FOR THE INDIGENOUS BERRY WORKERS’ STRIKE
AND BOYCOTT AGAINST SAKUMA BROTHERS




Hello everyone,




Skagit County has had a long tradition of standing up for
the rights of farm workers and immigrants. We have always been there to answer
the call whenever there was an injustice that haunted our community. For over
20 years on the first Sunday in May, a tradition started by Ramona and
Heriberto Esquivel, one of resistance and struggle was highlighted through the
Farm Worker Solidarity March and the work of local activists from diverse
backgrounds who valued human dignity and collective autonomy over individual
power or the politics of division. We marched together, many fronts of struggle
in solidarity for farm worker justice.






As a youth who participated in the marches and eventually
was on the planning committee, I was fortunate to meet great people and learn
from them the value of creating community and lifelong relationships forged
through actions and accountability. It was an exciting time to be involved in
something much bigger than myself here and at a local level. I looked up to our
elders who provided us with wise words and guidance but were mindful to let the
next generation of leaders and activist grow the movement.




That is why now is the time to support a new movement with
new leaders. Farm Workers at Sakuma Brothers Berry Farm have sacrificed
everything to come work in our fields and have taken a stand against injustice.
Much like in the tradition of Heriberto and Ramona Esquivel who set out to
change the culture of Skagit County where the contributions of farm workers
were not recognized as vital to our economies, and where the plight of the
workers was never recognized, today’s farm workers continue the struggle for
dignity. We should support and walk side by side and bear witness to the new
group of folks who have risked their livelihood and wellbeing to bring justice
and human dignity to the workplace. Just as our elders stood by us when we were
organizing, we need to be there for the next generation of leaders that are
developing.




How can we support? There will be a rally to support farm
workers in Skagit Valley this Saturday October 5th. The elected worker
committee has called on a boycott of Sakuma Berries, as well as Driscoll’s and
Haagen-Dazs ice cream, until they get a contract that ensures fair wages, to
stop the intimidation, and livable housing.


We also want to be in solidarity with other actions that
will be occurring throughout the nation that are calling for Comprehensive
immigration Reform that is just and fair.




The Sakuma labor struggle highlights the need for reform
because of all of the factors are in play and are affecting our immigrant
community, whether it be the unfair treatment and discrimination or the
implementation of exploitative programs such as H2A, which will be expanded in
the current immigration proposal SB744.












It is a chance for us to act locally and create a community
that is vibrant and respectful of all our residents. Hope you can attend or
pass the information to folks who would be interested.




For more information please visit www.dignitycampaign.org for
information on immigration reform from the grassroots level.




For information on the Sakuma Boycotts visit www.boycottsakumaberries.com




Edgar Franks


Community to Community Outreach


Formacion Civica/Campaign to End Racial Profiling


Office: 360-738-0893


Cell: 360-391-4561










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