The workers rallied outside the offices of D'Arrigo Bros. Co. demanding the company bargain in good faith for a union contract, United Farm Workers spokesman Marc Grossman said.

An afternoon bargaining session was set to follow the protest, but it was not clear how long it would proceed, Grossman said.

"We're awaiting the results of those talks," he said.

The meeting was the fourth between the two sides since May, when the workers renewed an effort to organize. Previous attempts dating back to 1975 have all failed.

Among the gripes by the workers are low pay, no pension plan, lack of job security and seniority protections, and a medical plan with unaffordable out-of-pocket expenses, Grossman said.

The workers presented a full contract to the company in June but no counterproposal has been made, Grossman said.

John Snell, labor relations manager for D'Arrigo, said the company did not want to comment during negotiations.

"We negotiate at the bargaining table. We don't wish to negotiate in the media," he said.

D'Arrigo employs about 1,500 workers.