Ask President-Elect Obama not to let the outgoing Bush Admin Steal Farm Worker Protections

The Bush Administration just released midnight regulation changes that make it easier for growers to slash the pay of domestic farm workers and hire imported foreign laborers instead of U.S. field workers. They will weaken government protections in an industry known for violating the minimum wage, housing requirements and other rules. The changes in H-2A regulations were revealed on the DOL website late Monday evening, but have not been formally published in the Federal Register.

Like the farm workers aren’t getting paid low enough already? They might as well start enslaving people to work on farms.

The United Farm Wokers sent out this email alert today. It does seem that Trader Joe’s is willing to listen to appeals like this to be fair.

Because Maria worked for a labor contractor, she most likely never knew she was part of the production team for Bronco Winery who is better known for Charles Shaw wines–commonly called “Two-Buck Chuck.” This best selling wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe’s stores. According to Trader Joe’s web site, “these super-value wines began as the result of an oversupply of wine and a great relationship with a valued supplier.”

Help us ask Trader Joe’s to use their “great relationship” to protect the workers who labor to pick the crop. Ask Trader Joe’s to implement a corporate policy to ensure that their suppliers are not violating the law by failing to provide farm workers with basic protections such as cold water, shade and clean bathrooms. Requests of this type are not new to Trader Joe’s. Back in 2005 after the Humane Society and customers expressed concerns, Trader Joe’s agreed to sell only cage free eggs under the company’s label. We commend Trader Joe’s for this corporate responsibility and ask them to do the same for farm workers. After all isn’t the life of a farm worker as important as the life of a chicken?

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