California strawberry pickers fired for walking off job to flee wildfire
Source: The RAW STORY
A group of agricultural workers in southern California lost their jobs last week when they took shelter to escape the ash-filled air blowing down on them ahead of one of the wildfires currently blazing in that state. According to NBC Los Angeles, 15 workers went inside to escape the smoke, which was interfering with their ability to breathe. When they returned to work the next day, they were informed that they had been fired.
The smoke was very bad. Theres no doubt about that, said Lauro Barrajas, one of the workers, who are represented by the United Farm Workers union.
The wildfire, dubbed the Springs Fire was growing out of control in Camarillo Springs, California on Thursday, May 2. The workers, employees of Crisalida Farms in Oxnard, located 11 miles south of the fires center, began to cough and experience lowered visibility as smoke and ash rained down on them.
Even as the air quality in the fields declined, a foreman told the workers that if they walked off the job, they would not have jobs to come back to. When they returned on May 3, they were told that they were fired.
Farm representatives made a statement to Latin TV network Telemundo that the workers had clocked out without permission with orders still to be filled, hence the firing.
Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/05/08/california-strawberry-pickers-fired-for-walking-off-job-to-flee-wildfire/
Here's a prime example why unions are essential!
Hugabear
(10,340 posts)Looks like not much has changed
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)This is why unions are so deeply necessary.
BainsBane
(53,032 posts)Unfucking real.
snappyturtle
(14,656 posts)Skeeter Barnes
(994 posts)The Union got them their jobs back but the story paraphrases contract language implying this disciplinary action was prohibited by contract. They should have been made whole for any lost wages beginning on May 3.
Javaman
(62,530 posts)Perhaps the other workers will become members of the UFW. I hope so. No one should be treated like this.
alp227
(32,024 posts)Selatius
(20,441 posts)So if an employee dies on the job, the corporation gets a payout from insurance for the death. Even in death, some workers are not released from employer obligations, I guess.
muntrv
(14,505 posts)Yoonyin is jest another word fer lazy!
mountain grammy
(26,621 posts)Sunlei
(22,651 posts)big job 5 lane road using 3 million of the new stimulus money everyone grabbed, remember?
Big rig work done by official workers on weekdays.
The hand work when about 50 men? layed wood forms, rebarb work, shovel work with air full of dust was done early one sunday am. sunrise that crew went through. Nothing to protect them from the dust except some wore bandanas, old worn shoes, old clothing..the manager? stayed in his pickup truck with the air running. could hear them coughing, probably undocumented persons slipped in to do the dirty work on a day and time regulators don't work sunday.
Regular workers people are so exploited in this country and with conservatives running the show, busting unions, making immigrants second class citizens- it's only going to get worse.
truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Whilst the media goes apeshit with its Cleveland coverage the House passed a bill getting rid of the 40-hour work week...
Response to hue (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
PeaceNikki
(27,985 posts)"The workers, employees of Crisalida Farms in Oxnard, located 11 miles south of the fires center..."
PlanetBev
(4,104 posts)Jerks....
PlanetBev
(4,104 posts)The smoke and ash were intolerable from where I was. How the hell did they think people could keep working in those conditions?
This is sick.
Selatius
(20,441 posts)PeaceNikki
(27,985 posts)OXNARD, Calif. -
Non-union farm workers told reporters they were fired for seeking shelter from the smoke during the Springs Fire last week.
Today Crisalida Berry Farms and the United Farm Workers Union issued a rare joint statement calling it a misunderstanding.
There was clearly a misunderstanding. These workers were not fired and we welcome them back on our farm, said Dave Murray at Crisalida Berry Farms.
We appreciate Crisalida's response to this matter. We know that the farm's ownership prides itself on creating an atmosphere where ownership, management and employees work together to ensure a culture of assurance, accountability and safety. As with any organization, misunderstandings can happen and we're pleased to put this incident behind us, said Erik Nicholson, National vice president of the United Farm Workers.
Interesting.
mainer
(12,022 posts)Workers should boycott this farm and let the strawberries rot.
PeaceNikki
(27,985 posts)"However, all but one had since found work at other farms and did not return."
and
"A union official tells the Ventura County Star (http://bit.ly/146WmoT) that the workers have been offered back pay and jobs, but only one woman has indicated she'll return."
Behind subscription wall: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/may/08/labor-union-rectifies-situation-between-and-fire/
lol... or read that in the link in OP...
Also.. It's really good to see the union stepping up for the non-union workers in their trade. Yay for them!!
Omaha Steve
(99,632 posts)They didn't go there to DIE!
Brigid
(17,621 posts)That these workers would risk their health -- and maybe their lives -- to pick his freaking strawberries?? Good Lord!
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)It's not clear whether the foreman was the one on the farm/ranch or the foreman from the farm labor company that was contracted by the farmer/rancher. If a contractor was hired, they are responsible for hiring and supervising the workers. The difference is important.