The employees of Gerawan Farming have been waiting since November 2013 for their votes to be counted. After a historic and arduous struggle, finally today their voices were heard. The final vote count was 1,098 “No Union,” and 197 for the UFW. The employees overwhelmingly rejected the UFW – by a 5 to 1 margin.
George Radanovich, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, applauded today’s election outcome. He stated, “Today, we heard the resounding response from the Gerawan employees of “No Union.”
Radanovich continued, “Employees have a fundamental right to choose whether or not to be represented. The Agricultural Labor Relations Board, together with the United Farm Workers, joined to work against the true voice of these employees, their votes. Today, the employees sent them an overwhelming statement..."no union.”
Radanovich concluded, “The determination of the employees, and their employer, in defending the rights of the employees, as well as the company, resulted in the protection of the right to choose. I call upon the ALRB to certify the results of the election, and to decertify the UFW. We also impress upon the Legislature and Governor Brown to take immediate steps to ensure that the ALRB will never again have the power and ability to usurp farm worker freedom of choice and the due process rights of affected parties."
For more information:
George Radanovich
California Fresh Fruit Association
Tel: +1 (202) 841-3555
gradanovich@cafreshfruit.com
www.cafreshfruit.com