10:15, April 21, contract signing, City Hall

Mayor Brown hosts signing of first strawberry contract for UFW; state's largest organic berry grower joins Rodriguez the day before Earth Day

The United Farm Workers' campaign to improve the lives of strawberry pickers will bear fruit Tuesday--the day before Earth Day--when UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and California's largest organic berry grower sign a union contract at a ceremony hosted by Mayor Willie Brown in his City Hall office.

It marks the first contract with a strawberry producer since the UFW began its present organizing drive among berry workers. The organic firm, Swanton Berry Farms, employs 40 people during the harvest season. Large flats of pesticide-free berries bearing the UFW union label will be displayed at the event.

Swanton workers voted for the UFW in a state-conducted secret ballot election on Dec. 2 at the ranch in Davenport north of Santa Cruz after the owner agreed to remain neutral while laborers organized. Swanton will be the UFW's 18th new agreement with a grower since a new union field organizing campaign began in many crops across the state in 1994.

WHO: Mayor Willie Brown hosting UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, Swanton Berry Farms owner Jim Cochran and Swanton strawberry pickers.

WHAT: Signing the first UFW contract with a strawberry grower during the union's present organizing campaign among berry workers.

WHEN: 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 21, 1998.

WHERE: Mayor's Office, City Hall, Room 207, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco.

Swanton Berry Farms produces about 20% of California's organic strawberry crop. The market for organic strawberries is rising even faster than the 20% per year growth rate for the organic industry as a whole.

The contract signing also comes two days before the fifth anniversary of UFW founder Cesar Chavez's death.

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Highlights of United Farm Workers Contract with Swanton Berry Farms

Total package-Altogether, the UFW-Swanton Berry Farms contract provides a minimum of $8.60 worth of pay and benefits to workers at the Davenport, Calif. company. Many workers will receive more.

Wages-Minimum pay for entry level workers ranges from $7 to $8.75 per hour.

Rehiring-Strawberry workers with the highest seniority-the most time with the company-will be recalled first at the beginning of the harvest season or when work is available.

Health insurance-The Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan-a joint union-management administered trust fund regulated by the federal government-will provide comprehensive medical, dental and prescription drug coverage for Swanton employees and their families. The company will contribute the entire premium.

Pension plan-The company will contribute to the Juan de la Cruz Pension Plan, also a joint union-management administered trust fund regulated by the federal government, to insure workers have financial support when they retire.

Paid holidays and vacations-For the first time, workers will receive vacation pay. Paid holidays are Cesar Chavez's birthday on March 31, Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.

Grievance and arbitration procedure-It will offer workers a system through which their rights will be protected and they can voice their concerns on key job-related issues.

Health and safety-The company will continue to comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the health and safety of its workers.

Job training-On-the-job training will be provided under the union contract when workers fill vacancies or receive promotions.

Duration-The contract will expire on January 31, 1999.

United Farm Workers web site: www.ufw.org