Secretary-Treasurer ’ s Message
HOW YOUR VOTE ENABLED FARMER JOHN WORKERS THE RIGHT TO USE THE RESTROOM
Last August , after nearly five months of negotiations , the contract at the Farmer John / Hormel slaughterhouse was ratified ! justice . The support and assistance of our communities demonstrate a broad public endorsement of our struggle .
Thirdly , our efforts take place in an historic and geographic space . The political climate influences our chances to be successful .
JOHN GRANT Secretary-Treasurer
There are 3 elements to any successful negotiations , and all were present here .
First , we need an active , engaged membership , willing to raise their voice about their work life . We button up , we petition , we march , we rally for a better life .
What happened ? Since 1985 , Farmer John attempted to capitalize on a weakened labor movement . But , the courage of those workers , the support of thousands of allies throughout Southern California AND a political climate favorable to writing a contractual document engendering respect and dignity on the job --- produced the best contract these packinghouse workers have seen in a generation .
We won back frozen sick leave and earned the right to receive payments for unused sick leave . And we won contractual protection of our right to pee ( right to use restroom )!
Farmer John Workers March for a Better Life
Second , our campaigns need to be integrated with our communities ’ efforts to achieve social and economic
We make heard our voice at work , our neighbors voice their concerns about our work , and we make sure that we elect public servants who enable our voice at work . And then we can get a good contract !!
And this is why our vote for Hillary matters : to protect our right to fight for a good contract and to use the restroom as needed !
And this is why our vote in each community matters -- so we have state-wide guarantees of our contractual gains !
UNION KNOWLEDGE PAYS BENEFITS ! Win a family 4 pack of movie passes . Be one of the first three members to correctly connect the following historical events with the resulting Farmer John contractual issue .
Match this column , with this column .
Historical Events
1 ) SCABS : In 1938 , U . S . Supreme Court allows employers to hire “ permanent replacements ” ( scabs ) over striking workers .
2 ) WORKPLACE RIGHTS : President Clinton authorizes the Occupational Health & Safety Administration ( OSHA ) to issue an order requiring sanitation standards ( 1998 ).
Farmer John Contract Issues
A ) After 4 days of negotiations , FJ workers win contractual protection to “... use restroom facilities .”
B ) Sick Leave is restored to FJ workers after more than a decade .
C ) 1985 strike rips Union contract , taking away pension , health insurance trust and bargaining power .
3 ) HEALTH STANDARDS : The Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014 ( California ).
Submit your answers by calling Kim at ( 213 ) 201-7117 by November 8 , 2016 .
3 Issue 3 THE VOICE September 2016