Members of the board of the independent farmworker union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia, met June 23 with Ryan Sakuma owner of Sakuma Farms of Burlington Washington to negotiate a new pay rate.
Farmworkers reported the most recent abuse against them to the union; Sakuma Farms imposed a new pay rate demanding farmworkers to pick thirty-five pounds (35 lbs.) per hour to be able to earn $10 per hour.
The company told the farmworkers if they didn’t meet this standard, they would first receive a warning, and if they continue not meeting the goal, they would be fired.
This week, 200 workers, almost all members of Familias Unidas por la Justicia, were ready to do another work stoppage but their negotiating team was able to get an agreement with Ryan Sakuma, the agreement entails to pick fifteen pounds (15 lbs.) to earn $10 per hour.
“We cant keep negotiating our wages every day, that’s why we need a union contract” said President of Familias Unidas por la Justicia Ramon Torres. The independent union will continue to fight for a union contract and continue boycotting the Sakuma label and Driscoll berries. (end)