UFW signed nationwide union contract covering guest workers

[realFedUp]

meanwhile....
http://www.newwestnotes.com/non-random-notes-ufw-guest-... /

** GUEST WORKER PACT. The United Farm Workers union has just signed the first nationwide union contract covering agricultural guest workers. It is a good development that points up the situation facing guest workers and the low-skill workers who compete with them. The pact is with Global Horizons, in essence a national labor contractor importing cheap labor into the U.S. According to news accounts, the firm lost its business license in the State of Washington for violating tax and labor laws in its treatment of workers from Thailand. Hence the announcement of the agreement in Seattle. Here are the terms of the agreement, according to the union, which mark a substantial improvement in conditions for the guest workers:

• Enforcement of relevant state and federal laws and protection from retaliation for complaining about treatment through the grievance and binding mediation process.
• A 2 percent pay increase over the Adverse Effect Wage Rate required by federal law, which is always higher than the state or federal minimum wage. It is now $9.01 in Washington state.
• Employer-paid medical care while in this country.
• Paid work breaks, which are not legally guaranteed any farm workers in many states.
• Seniority so workers are hired or laid off based on their years of service with the company.
• Paid bereavement leave when a family member dies, paid round-trip transportation to their country of origin plus further leave time if required.