With deepest respect and admiration, we are excited to share the amazing news that Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ) was elected last month to represent farmworkers at Sakuma Bros. Berry Farm in negotiations for a union contract!
This is a historic moment in FUJ’s long history of courageous and persistent organizing, and gives strength to the broader farmworker justice and labor movements. FUJ was formed in the summer of 2013 to fight for fair wages and dignified working conditions for their workers, and in the last three years they have spearheaded a truly inspiring campaign for justice, rallying supporters both locally and nationally around their cause, with many important gains along the way. Against many odds, FUJ pressed on until some of their key demands were met: a union election and negotiations for a union contract.
In a historic secret ballot election on Monday, September 12, farmworkers at Sakuma Bros. Farms overwhelmingly voted for FUJ to represent them, with a 77% majority. FUJ is the second independent farmworker union formed in Washington State since 1986, the only one currently representing workers, and the first led by indigenous farm workers, representing over 500 Triqui, Mixteco, and Spanish speaking workers. Now FUJ has entered a union contract negotiation process and has called off their boycott of Driscoll’s and Sakuma products.
We applaud Familias Unidas por la Justicia for this remarkable victory that comes as a result of their powerful and tireless organizing, and we stand behind them as they negotiate a contract to secure better pay and working conditions for generations of farmworkers to come.
Donations are now urgently needed to support ongoing internal organizing and the costs of the negotiation process; please donate online, or send checks to FUJ, P.O. Box 1206, Burlington, WA 98233.
For updates on FUJ’s work, visit their new website and follow them on Facebook. And join us for our celebration with FUJ and C2C!
FRI NOV 18, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Celebrate Historic Union Election with Familias Unidas por la Justicia
Location: WA State Labor Council, 321 16th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
FREE Reception; Donations accepted for future FUJ organizing support!
Please RSVP! Join us to celebrate the recent vote for independent farmworker union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia, supported throughout their struggle by Community to Community Development. Representatives of both FUJ and C2C will share their perspectives on this victory, and the struggle to come. Organized by Community Alliance for Global Justice, UFCW 21 and WA State Labor Council AFL-CIO.
