A little bit of effort can sometimes go a long way. This is one of those cases.
Workers are organizing for justice in their work place at Giumarra Vineyards. Giumarra is one of the largest table grape growers in the US. Employing nearly 3,000 farm workers in California, it markets its grapes and numerous other fruits and vegetables from around the world under the name Nature’s Partner. But it is no partner to the workers; Giumarra has one of the most egregious histories of abusing farm workers in the state. Two out of 15 farm workers who have died heat-related illnesses died while picking grapes for Giumarra. And a recent lawsuit against Giumarra filed by the federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) alleges that the company permitted a 17-year-old girl to be sexually harassed and then retaliated against her and 3 other workers for coming to her defense by firing them. For more background information on this campaign, click HERE.
You can help support the workers at Giumarra by simply sending a letter. The UFW is talking to grocery chains about Giumarra’s treatment of its workers. One of the chains that has chosen not to respond to the UFW and unwilling to listen to the stories of workers from Giumarra is Cincinnati-based Kroger. In southern California, Kroger owns Ralphs and Food-4-Less and in 31 states owns several other grocery store chains. (see list of all Kroger owned chains and their locations here.) We are calling on individuals and congregations to send letters to the CEO of the Kroger Co. at their headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. As the second largest retail grocery store chain in the country, the need to take a leadership role and work with the UFW to protect farm workers at Giumarra Vineyards.
Thank you for supporting farm workers! And PLEASE send us a copy of the letters you send either by fax to (323) 263-2807 or a hard copy in the mail to:
National Farm Worker Ministry
4545 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Any questions, please contact Lucy Boutte (951-634-8817) or Christy Lafferty
(323-893-9605).
