Farm workers who have waited for years, sometimes decades, for union contracts while growers drag out negotiations will kick off a vigil outside the state Capitol Thursday, when the Senate is expected to send Gov. Gray Davis a bill using binding arbitration to resolve bargaining disputes. The vigil will continue each day--including weekends--until the governor announces his decision on the United Farm Workers-sponsored legislation.

SB 1736, by state Senate President pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco), is viewed as the most important farm labor bill in 27 years, since the original law was passed in 1975 during former Gov. Jerry Brown's first year in office. The measure was approved by the Assembly on a 49-22 vote Monday. The upper house will vote to concur on technical Assembly amendments.

The bill would amend the Agricultural Labor Relations Act by allowing the Agricultural Labor Relations Board to call for specialized professional mediators and arbitrators to resolve differences between unions and growers during negotiations.

Of the 428 ranches where farm workers voted for the UFW since 1975, only 185 growers have signed contracts with the Cesar Chavez-founded union. "Tens of thousands of farm workers who at one time voted for the UFW have never enjoyed the life-changing benefits of union contracts," says UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. eSupporters note SB 1736 would simply put into law for all California farm workers the same rights Gov. Davis and the Legislature bestowed in 2001 on "backstretch" workers at race tracts who are officially classified as agricultural employees.

Who: Farm workers from ranches that have not agreed to union contracts, UFW National Vice President Rosalinda Guillen, union supporters.

What: First day of a vigil that will continue until Gov. Davis announces a decision on the farm worker binding arbitration bill.

When: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002. (The vigil will continue every day, including weekends.)

Where: Near L Street entrance to state Capitol, Sacramento.

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