United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez issued the following statement from the union's Keene, Calif. headquarters after Gov. Davis announced he has signed SB 1156, by state Senate leader John Burton (D-San Francisco), and AB 2596, by Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (D-Los Angeles):

The historic legislation Governor Davis has signed will allow many farm workers to finally realize the 1975 farm labor law's promise of the right to organize and bargain with their employers. The governor's signature will mean some of the poorest and most abused workers in California can win the life-changing benefits of union contracts for themselves and their families.

We are grateful to all the legislators who supported these long-overdue reforms, but especially to state Senate leader John Burton, without whom this victory would not have been possible.

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