Farm workers vow continued fight
“There is no will on the part of the businesses,” said Fidel Sanchez, one of the leaders of a strike that began on March 17 seeking improved working conditions and increased wages for thousands of workers who pick strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and other produce largely destined for the export market.
San Quintin farm workers push for more pay
Thousands of agricultural workers in the San Quintin area are paid $6.50 to $10 a day, an amount that many say leaves them struggling to feed and clothe their families. The strikers have been demanding not only the wage increase, but also range of improvements to their working conditions, including overtime pay, and an end to sexual harassment of female workers.
The strike has come during the important strawberry harvest, leaving a portion of the crop unpicked as the strike has led many farm workers to stay home, though many others have continued to show up, saying they need the income to feed their families.
The strikers initially demanded that the minimum wage be raised to about $20 per day, or $2 per box of strawberries — but after two days of negotiations this week, leaders said they were willing to settle for about $13 per day or about $1.30 per box of strawberries.
The most powerful growers association, the Agricultural Council of Baja California, which sent a representative to the talks, made a final offer Friday of a 15 percent pay increase but did not specify a base figure.
Strike leaders have been sharply critical of the Baja California state government, accusing it of siding with the growers, even as it has been acting as mediator in the talks. On Thursday, a protest march drew close to 2,000 people to the state government offices in San Quintin, where police in riot gear have been guarding the entrances.
Source: utsandiego.com
