Oregon Farmworkers Union signs historic first contract

WOODBURN, OR -- Members of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Nortoeste (PCUN) signed its first collective bargaining agreement in the state on Cesar Chavez Day, Tuesday, March 31.

The two-year pact between PCUN, which is translated as Northwest Tree-planters and Farmworkers United, and Nature's Fountain Farm of Albany was sealed at Risberg Hall at PCUN's headquarters here, by President Ramon Ramirez and Scott Frost, owner of the 26-acre organic blueberry and strawberry farm which employs 20 workers.

It is only the second collective bargaining agreement between farmworkers and growers to be signed in the Pacific Northwest, the union said.

At the ceremony, 16-year-old Job Pozos Jr., one of the signers of the contract, said, "This will show the growers that there are people like PCUN to make changes out in the fields where our RAZA (Mexican people) are working and it will make all of us come together and fight together without using violence, to win more contracts and have PCUN as our union."

Frost shared his reasons for breaking ranks with his peers, all of whom have strongly resisted even talking to PCUN. "It is my hope that in creating an example, a working model, that Nature's Fountain Farm can be a place where labor and ownership can work together as one, to open a window to change and growth."

The contract ensures that wages will be renegotiated after one year and that leaves of absence will not affect seniority. If a worker becomes sick or injured on the job and has to leave in the middle of a workday, he or she will be paid for a day's work. Workers will be guaranteed breaks and overtime pay after 10 hours. In addition, the company will not allow Immigration and Naturalization Service officials onto the farm without a warrant.

Moreover, union organizers will have access to the farm to talk to workers, and union information can be made available.

Juanita Cox-Valdez, a director of the AFL-CIO's United Farm Workers of America (UFW), read a statement from UFW President Arturo Rodriguez which said, "PCUN's determined efforts mirror the UFW's 36-year struggle to bring a measure of dignity and security for farm workers in our country. Announcement of this first collective bargaining agreement in Oregon is a milestone for both of our unions. Their victory is also our own."

Frost has truly broken new ground. Until March 31, Oregon growers had steadfastly refused all efforts to sit down face to face with farmworkers, much less negotiate with PCUN. Grower members of the the food processor NORPAC responded to farmworker calls of union recognition by firing, evicting, and even using physical violence against those farmworkers, the union alleged.

NORPAC growers have also refused calls from unions and the religious community for mediated negotiations. Growers statewide organized the Council for Agricultural Employers to fight PCUN's efforts. The union also believes some members of Oregon's congressional delegation are proposing "guestworker" legislation to allow the importation of temporary foreign workers, as an attempt to break union organizing efforts.

Ramirez called on the labor and religious communities and consumers in general to continue supporting farmworkers by purchasing union label blueberries and strawberries as well as continue supporting PCUN's boycott of NORPAC and Gardenburger products.

PCUN has 4,300 members who pay dues.

-END-

Home | About