VIDEOS
VIDEO: 9/5/07-Farm workers
who joined in lobby day talk
about why they need SB 180
WORKER VOICES:
Teodoro Gutierrez noticed dirt in what was supposed to be his crew’s drinking water. He decided to let his foreman know to change it. Instead of providing workers with clean, drinking water, the foreman threw the dirty water out and left the crew thirsty for the remainder of the hot work day. "The foreman, they always cheat us." Gloria Ramirez tells us how women suffer. "If a young female worker doesn't give into her supervisor's sexual requests, he will fire her or make her life a living hell. He'll punish all of us for days--with no food, water or restroom breaks....The bathrooms are located too far for us to use," she said. "There have been times I have really had to use the restroom, but they are so far, I could not make it in time." Click to read more workers' stories Click to see the team who made this project possible Click to see the team who made this project possible | The last month has been very exciting. On Wed., Sept.,5 more than 800 farm workers from all over California traveled to Sacramento to tell the Governor and their elected officials to support SB180, the "Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act" (D-Migden). Workers were excited when Governor Schwarzenegger came out and addressed them. The Governor agreed that it’s wrong that the laws in the books are not the law in the fields, but made no public comment on SB 180. Since that time dozens of farm workers from all over California went to Sacramento on a daily basis. Besides this, approximately 40 farm workers and supporters were in Sacramento full time held a daily 24-hour vigil at the capitol until the legislative session closed on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The bill is currently sitting on the governor’s desk. Since the rally, some growers have begun retaliating against the brave workers who attended, docking them work hours or giving them written warnings. However, these workers are not intimidated. Some of the same workers traveled to Sacramento again next week to continue fighting for the bill. Si Se Puede! |
