University of California

7/29/98 -- San Francisco Chronicle

Union wins right to negotiate at vegetable grower

Wednesday, July 29, 1998

(07-29) 09:27 EDT. SEBASTOPOL, Calif. (AP) -- The United Farm Workers union has won the right to represent workers at the largest vegetable grower in Northern California, and negotiations could begin as early as today, officials said.

A vote Tuesday went 69-0 in favor of the union, with 21 votes challenged.

Ninety workers walked off the 700-acre Balletto Farms operation last week to emphasize their demands for a contract and pay raises.

The vote will be certified by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board by the end of the week, but negotiations between the company and farm workers can begin immediately, according to Salvador Mendoza, a UFW representative.

The farm workers cultivate, irrigate and harvest lettuce, cabbage, squash and wine grapes and other specialty crops at two Balletto Farms properties.

Improved working conditions, a seniority system and medical benefits are among the key issues.

"John Balletto is a tough guy but he is willing to reason," said David Villarino, director of the UFW's collective bargaining division. "Overall, they're a cooperative company."

Balletto Farms' attorney Jan Transil said in a prepared statement that company officials do not dispute workers' right to organize.

"Once the election is certified by the ALRB, Balletto Ranch will move quickly to negotiate a reasonable collective bargaining agreement," he said. "It is in everyone's best interests that this happen in an honest and legally appropriate way."