California Governor Gray Davis took an important stand for all of Californiais working families when he signed historic legislation yesterday guaranteeing farm workers mediation in contract disputes. In nearly 60 percent of the cases in which the workers win their union election, management never agrees to a contract.

These two bills will help many farm workers to finally realize the promise of the 1975 farm labor law to give farm workers the freedom to form unions to improve their lives. All workers deserve to have a real voice on the job and farm workers--who are often immigrants and among our society's least-paid workers--are no exception.

The United Farm Workers' unyielding commitment in this campaign showed that the spirit and mission of Cesar Chavez is alive and well today. Through marches, prayer vigils and sit-ins, the UFW led the community in making the plight of farm workers visible.

The AFL-CIO commends Governor Davis and the many elected leaders, including state Senator John Burton, who stood behind California farm workers in their struggle to win a voice at work.

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