Stop Ace Tomato from using the legal system to block workers' contract

[Omaha Steve]

https://secure.ufw.org/page/contribute/ace_legal

We've been writing to you about the Ace Tomato workers who voted for the UFW 23 years ago, but are still without a contract. Ace, one of the largest tomato companies in California, is using the court system as their personal playground to delay justice. It seems like they expect that eventually the UFW, the workers, and you, will all go away because Ace thinks we can't afford to keep fighting. Help us tell Ace that is NOT going to happen.

The UFW fought for and passed a law in California requiring employers to negotiate in good faith, and if employers refuse to agree to a contract with workers, a mediator establishes the terms of a contract. After more than 1 month of mediation, a neutral mediator submitted his report to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board ("ALRB&quot on June 28. This report contained the terms of a new contract with Ace's tomato workers. On July 25, the ALRB ordered Ace Tomato to implement the contract established by the neutral mediator. Instead, Ace decided to continue its delay tactics and ignored the ALRB order. Ace continues to refuse to respect the law and continues to profit at the expense of farm workers. The ALRB General Counsel went to court last week and asked for a Temporary Restraining Order ("TRO&quot to force Ace to put the contract into effect immediately.

But this Monday morning, a San Joaquin County judge refused to issue a TRO because last Thursday the company filed an appeal with the court of appeals in Fresno. The judge said she did not want to issue an order that conflicts with what the court of appeals may decide at a later time. The appeal filed by Ace asks the court to overturn the ALRB's order and asks for a "stay" of the ALRB order, meaning that the company does not have to implement the contract during the appeals process - a process that could very well take years! In the meantime, we now have to defend the law in two courts while workers still wait for their contract. Meanwhile, the San Joaquin County judge has set another hearing for September 14, on whether she will order Ace to comply with the law. We need to raise funds for the legal work required to win in the courts.

Ace Tomato workers refuse to give up. They are tired of miserable working conditions, lack of respect and decades of low pay. They have resolved to keep fighting until they have a contract.

FULL story at link.

https://secure.ufw.org/page/smartproxy/BSD_DAhRGxABD0FLXEJS/BwlDUBAQB0AA/CQpVVA8X/BAZCXAwKSEEDRB5aQwI/EANBGAsBB1AAQR5SWAM