Here's Brother Doug Bloch, Joint Council 7's political director, with the rundown:
Wednesday
Over 50 Teamsters and Taylor Farms workers hit the Capitol to lobby for AB 1897, a bill by Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Chair Roger Hernandez that will hold companies accountable for wage theft and other abuses when they use staffing agencies and other contractors who break the law. We joined the California Labor Federation, UNITE HERE Local 11, and UFCW Local 5.
Roughly 900 Latino workers at Taylor Farms in Tracy are organizing with Teamsters Local 601. Over 2/3rds work for two temporary agencies, although some workers have been there for over 10 years as so-called "temps"! When workers are injured, have wage claims, or other issues the temporary agencies and Taylor Farms both point fingers at the other one, denying responsibility. AB 1897 would fix that.
Teamsters Local 601 led a delegation of Taylor Farms workers throughout the Capitol, earning support for the campaign and legislation.
The lobby day was highlighted by the California Labor Federation in their blog Labor's Edge.
Thursday
Taylor Farms workers leave Tracy at 4:30 to join striking McDonald's workers on the picket line at 6 am in Oakland. Taylor Farms supplies McDonald's, Subway, Chipotle, and other fast food chains with produce.
On Thursday evening nearly 200 Taylor Farms workers, Teamsters, and community supporters packed a meeting in Tracy where Assemblymember Hernandez and others heard horror stories from Taylor Farms workers and pledged their support.
Others on the panel included Modesto City Council Member Tony Madrigal; Maria Noel Fernandez, Working Partnerships USA; Don Villarejo, founder of the California Institute for Rural Studies; Father Rex Hays, Sacred Heart Catholic Church; and Jessica Cabrera, San Joaquin Immigrant Youth Coalition. A representative from Senator Cathleen Galgiani's office was also at the forum.
Friday
Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA) Executive Director Joann Lo publishes an article in the National Journal highlighting the struggles of Taylor Farms and other food chain workers to earn decent pay. Joint Council 7 is a proud member of the FCWA.
Saturday
Over 100 shop stewards from Teamsters Local 439 and Teamsters Local 601 kicked off a political organizing campaign in the Central Valley.
This effort includes joining DRIVE (the Teamsters political action fund), voter registration, and supporting candidates who support workers.
At the same time, over 20 shop stewards from Teamsters Local 386 were meeting in Modesto.
And back in the Bay Area, 20 Teamsters from Locals 70, 315,
and 856 walked precincts for Tim Sbranti in his race against Steve Glazer for
Assembly District 16. Sbrant is a long-time friend of workers, while Glazer is
running on a platform of banning the right for transit employees to strike.
Teamsters 665 members were also walking precincts in the 10th Assembly
District against incumbent Assemblymember Marc Levine.
We are gearing up for even larger events in June. When Teamsters take action, we win!
