University of California

7/3/97 News Release -- Western Growers Association

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (July 3, 1997) -- California grower groups, led by Western Growers Association, have been "denounced" by the United Farm Workers union for filing Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) against the UFW, AFL-CIO, and Monsanto, Inc.

The ULP alleges, based on the union’s and Monsanto’s own press releases, that they illegally entered into an agreement that outlines the timing and details for a pro-union election at Monsanto’s successor company, Coastal Berry Company.

"This agreement violates the very cornerstone of the labor act which allows farm workers to vote for or against union representation," said David Moore, WGA president. "The UFW insisted on the law to end voluntary recognition and ‘back room deals’ between a company and a union. Now, according to their press releases, the union appears to have been the force behind this particular back room deal."

"The UFW wants you to believe that they are looking out for all the workers," Moore continued. "When the UFW avails itself of the ALRB, it claims it is for worker free choice. However, when a grower organization uses those same protections, it is ‘denounced.’"

"The UFW is confused about WGA’s support for strawberry workers," concluded Moore. "The workers’ free choice is our primary concern. Intimidation of workers through employer/union collusion is never beneficial."

WGA is an agricultural trade association whose members grow, pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh vegetables and about 60 percent of the fresh fruit and nuts in Arizona and California.