United Methodists declare victory for farm workers
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Workers harvest tomatoes at a farm in Immokalee, Fla., where
low wages and poor conditions prompted farm worker advocates to lobby
fast-food giant Burger King Corp. A UMNS photo by Scott Robertson.
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A UMNS Report
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
June 11, 2008
United Methodists are celebrating a victory for farm workers following
an agreement by Burger King Corp. to pay more for tomatoes picked by
workers in Florida.
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Burger King will pay an extra 1.5 cents per pound of
tomatoes to Florida growers, with most of the money going to farm
workers. A UMNS photo
by Scott Robertson.
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The second largest fast-food chain in the United States agreed to pay an
extra 1.5 cents per pound for tomatoes picked in Florida. One penny of
the increase will go for wages, and a half cent will fund incremental
payroll taxes and administrative costs to encourage grower participation
in the pact.
The May 23 agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers roughly
doubles the earnings of the Florida workers. It also offers protection
to farm workers who have been subjected to abuse from growers, according
to Brigitte Gynther, Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida.
United Methodists in Florida have worked with both the coalition and
Interfaith Action to bring about change for farm workers laboring in
harsh conditions for as little as $50 a day.
The coalition already has similar agreements with McDonald's Corp. and
Taco Bell owner Yum Brands Inc. The United Methodist Church supported a
boycott against Taco Bell that ended in March 2005 when the fast-food
chain agreed to the one-cent increase.
'Huge victory'
United Methodist leaders lauded the pact with Burger King.
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Uvaldo Ruiz of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers delivers a
giant petition to the Burger King headquarters in Miami. A UMNS photo
courtesy of Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida.
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Bishop Timothy Whitaker, episcopal leader of the church's Florida Area,
commended Burger King for its pledge to be a leader in improving the
working conditions of farm laborers.
"Many United Methodists have been praying for this outcome, and we shall
share with others our appreciation for the leadership Burger King is
demonstrating," Whitaker said.
Melinda Trotti, director of justice and spirituality ministries for the
church's Florida Annual (regional) Conference, called the agreement a
"huge victory."
"I started crying when I heard the news," she said. "You work hard and
you don't always get good news, but this is really good, big news."
John Hill, an executive with the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society, said the agreement "marks another step in the march to justice
for all workers."
"Today, we celebrate the great work of the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers in securing better working conditions and wages for the workers
of Immokalee, Fla., and recommit our efforts to live into The United
Methodist Church’s vision of a living wage in every industry," Hill
said.
The denomination's social action agency signed a letter sent to Burger
King's corporate office in Miami calling for the penny increase, a code
of conduct and a voice for farm workers in uncovering farm labor abuses.
Worker conditions
A congressional hearing held in April called for an investigation into farm worker conditions in Florida.
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Melinda Trotti presents petitions signed
by United Methodist Women. A UMNS
photo by Brigitte Gynther.
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Gynther said there have been reports that workers have been locked in trucks and even chained at times.
"Instead of paychecks, their bosses would deduct for rent, food and $5
for showers with a garden hose," she said. One case is currently under
federal investigation using anti-slavery laws dating back to the Civil
War.
In November 2007, thousands of people of faith brought more than 85,000
petitions to the Burger King headquarters. The march started with a
prayer breakfast hosted by First United Methodist Church, Miami.
Trotti said many advocates for the farm workers are young people.
"These are really amazing young people who are working along side the
workers," she said. "They believe this is what you should do as a
Christian. You should really take seriously Jesus' call to take care of
those who don't have their own voices. They are doing it and they are
being successful."
*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Related Articles
Burger King, farmworker group agree on wage deal
Faith leaders call for living wage, honor King
Religious voice needed for workers' rights
United Methodists join boycott of Taco Bell
Resources
Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida
Coalition of Immokalee Workers
Florida Annual Conference
Board of Church and Society
National Farm Workers Ministry |
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