US (CA): Gerawan Farms to shut table grape operations
The company sent a letter to the affected workers earlier this month as is required by employment law.
According to the company’s lawyer, Ronald Barsamian, all of Gerawan’s table grape vineyards between Kerman and Fresno will be removed, although the company still plans to continue growing wine grapes.
Gerawan is the largest tree fruit grower in the Valley.
“The table grape operation closure does not affect any of the employees’ employment in other Gerawan Farming operations,” Barsamian wrote in a letter notifying Fresno County Supervisor Henry R. Perea of the company’s decision.
Reportedly, 2,400 of the effected farm workers are members of the United Farmworks union, which has been engaged in a contentious and long-running legal battle with Gerawan over the company’s attempts to decertify its workers from union membership.
Source: thebusinessjournal.com
