Yesterday more than 100 migrant farm workers were living in an
orchard. Tonight they have no place to go.
Why, you ask? These Washington state cherry pickers came to
Shafter, California after being told by company representatives
to come to Califronia for a job in the cherries. Consequently
workers and their families traveled from Washington State to
work at the Kyle Mathison Orchards. Kyle Mathison is part of the
Wenatchee, Washington based Stemilt Growers Company--which,
according to its web site, is the largest shipper of
fresh-market sweet cherries in the world.
When these farm workers reached California, things were not as
expected. A number of the workers were hired, but other workers
were told to just wait and see if jobs were available. According
to KERO 23 news, a farm worker said, "I came from Washington
state. We came here to work, but they haven't treated us like
they should and we're a little worried because we may not have
enough money to go back to Washington."
While in Washington, some of the workers were informed that
housing would be available to them when they got to California.
However, when they got here there was no housing. They had no
choice but to sleep in the fields. Some stayed in tents, others
in cars and still others slept on cardboard or simply the dirt.
Workers complained of rashes from having to bathe in irrigation
water. The KERO 23 news report quoted another worker as saying,
"I asked where do we shower? And he said 'There's the water
hole.' ... and there's ducks and fish! I asked, 'We shower
there?! Where do the women shower?!' He said the same place."
When workers went public about being left out in the cold,
things only got worse. Last night Bakersfield area television
stations showed the workers? bleak situation. Today, Stemilt
company representatives' called the sheriffs to have the 100
plus workers and their property evicted from the orchard.
The workers who are currently working were told they would still
be allowed on Monday--however they now have no place to live.
The others have no place to live and no job--the company told
them to still wait and see.
Stemilt says their core values include treating workers, growers
and customers fairly. How is this fair?
Take action now. Tell Stemilt to provide housing for these out
of state workers tonight, pay reasonable travel expenses and
immediately hire the rest of the Washington workers instead of
forcing them to wait and see.
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/cherryworkers/ig5e6k5rh77teekj?
Tell-A-Friend: Every e-mail sent makes a difference. Please help
us spread the word about this campaign. Forward this message to
at least 10 friends or family and ask them to send an e-mail
too. Go to: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/cherryworkers/forward/ig5e6k5rh77teekj?
Your spare change can make change: Go to: https://secure.ga6.org/08/donations/ngpNiIKKqiuXQ?
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