University of California

This special all-day seminar examined basic provisions and current issues in interpretation of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act. The meeting was designed to broaden and enhance understanding of the ALRA among all those to whom it pertains -- growers, farm labor contractors, field supervisors, human resource managers, workers, employee representatives, and professional service providers. Speakers included ALR Board members and staff, other public officials, practicing attorneys, and UCCE personnel.

Recent events have again put a national spotlight on relations between agricultural managers and hired workers in California. Often neglected by news media and the general public are the many laws that have been put in place to guide terms of employment and interchange between managers and workers. The ALRA was enacted in 1975 to help achieve peace in the fields and stability in farm labor relations. It spells out a method for workers to elect a bargaining agent or choose to not be represented, and it prohibits unfair practices by which employers or unions might deter workers from exercising their rights.

While most of the meeting was devoted to the ALRA, recent changes in other parts of the regulatory structure surrounding farm employment were also considered.

Overview Outline of the Program 


• Welcome and Introduction
• Introduction to the ALRA
• Pre-election Organizing Activity
• Provisions and Procedures
• Issues and Concerns in Practical Application
• Employee Representation Elections
• Provisions and Procedures
• Issues and Concerns in Practical Application
• Bargaining between an Employer and a Certified Representative
• Provisions and Procedures
• Issues and Concerns in Practical Application
• Unfair Labor Practices
• Provisions and Procedures
• Issues and Concerns in Practical Application
• After 21 Years Under the ALRA, What Needs to Be Changed?
• Answers to Your Remaining Questions
• Update on Other Significant Employment Law
• Concluding Remarks

Speakers

• Charlie Atilano, Deputy Labor Commissioner, Monterey County
• James Bogart, Counsel, Grower-Shipper Vegetable Assn. of Central California
• Freddie Capuyan, Regional Director, Agricultural Labor Relations Board
• Mike Johnston, Union Representative, Teamsters Local 890
• Alastair Macaulay, Office of Senator Bruce McPherson
• Mary Mecartney, Attorney, United Farm Workers
• Richard Quandt, President, Grower-Shipper Vegetable Assn., Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties
• Paul Richardson, General Counsel, Agricultural Labor Relations Board
• Howard Rosenberg, Ag Labor Management Specialist, UCCE, Berkeley
• Michael Stoker, Chair, Agricultural Labor Relations Board
• James Sullivan, Attorney, Gilles, Minor & Sullivan
• Sonya Varea-Hammond, Monterey County UCCE Director