Since the July announcement by Sakuma that it would meet with FUJ to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding for holding elections, some workers have experienced retaliation and intimidation.

 

On Saturday August 27^th, the majority of workers picking in the blueberry and blackberry fields of Sakuma Bros. Farm walked out of the fields demanding fair treatment and a union contract. Sakuma management called the police and refused to explain to the workers why. A delegation of workers and supporters (including Farm Worker Ministry-Northwest) went to the management office to speak with CEO Danny Weeden to tell him to agree to a date for the election; he would not meet with them.

That very day, the Board and Staff of NFWM were holding our semi-annual board meeting in Raleigh, NC. When we got word that the workers had walked out and were asking supporters to call Sakuma and Driscoll's and to share the walk-out videos on social media, we took out our phones and laptops and joined the action.

 

NFWM also did another act of solidarity we are known for - hand in hand, we prayed for the workers and that they would see justice soon with Sakuma and Driscoll's.

NFWM Board & Staff in Solidarity with FUJ

 

The workers' solidarity as members of FUJ is inspiring. Their determination to have a fair union election at Sakuma and show that they are a union strong together deserves every ounce of our support.

 

SUPPORT THE WORKERS AND
CALL SAKUMA & DRISCOLL'S.

 

Sakuma (360) 757-6611 

Driscoll's (831) 763-3259

TELL THEM THE WORKERS DESERVE A FAIR ELECTION SOON AND LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE CONTINUING TO BOYCOTT THEIR BERRIES.

 

Please let us know what response you get to your call by emailing [email protected]. And visit Familias Unidas por la Justicia's facebook page to see the videos of Saturday's action.