Farm labor groups make progress

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Toledo Blade

BURLINGTON, Vt. — It was an unlikely place for a labor protest: 120 migrant workers, students, and clergy members were shouting outside the flagship store of Ben & Jerry’s, which displayed a “Peace, Love, and Ice Cream” sign on its facade.

They were demanding that Ben & Jerry’s — which prides itself on its progressive reputation — require the Vermont dairy farms that supply its milk and cream to follow a code of conduct that would guarantee their migrant workers a weekly day off, seven vacation days a year and more, including improved housing.

“The majority of us farmworkers, we don’t even have a day off,” Arnulfo Ramirez, a dairy worker from Guatemala, told the crowd last month. “We’re looking for Ben & Jerry’s to help make sure we’re treated with basic respect.”

With many farmworkers frustrated by low pay and substandard housing — and as more consumers are insisting on food that is produced ethically — innovative movements are sprouting across the country to improve wages and working conditions for America’s more than 2 million farmworkers.

FULL story at link.


Read more: https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2015/07/12/Farm-labor-groups-make-progress.html

[udbcrzy2]

1. Good idea

They could stagger the days, so as they don't shut down. That would give them time off and the operations still running.

I would thinks someone would need to tend to animals.

[jwirr]

2. It makes sense - Ben and Jerry's are more likely to listen than the farmers. And they have the

power to change it. My ex was a farm laborer in Iowa and I guess things have not changed.

[marym625]

3. Great post!

K&R! Thanks!