Victory for Coalition of Immokalee Workers -- Farmers Agree to Pay "Penny-More-Per-Pound"

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) announced today that the penny more per pound oftomatoespicked -- the wins that workers and their allies have fought tirelessly for -- will finally be passed onto workers by two Florida growers.

The CIW is an organization of farmworkers who work to raise wages in Florida'sfields, demand decent working conditions and overall dignity and respect for those who harvest the world's food. Their efforts have resulted in numerous agreements with the largest purchasers of Florida tomatoes (McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Bon Apetit, Subway, Whole Foods). However, their victories have been confronted with a refusal to let the wage increase through by the Florida Tomato Grower's Exchange. Today, Whole Foods -- a retail store that has signed an agreement with the CIW -- announced that two of the farms they purchase from --Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms --- will abide by the agreement and demands of farmworkers.

From Whole Foods Press release ---

"The Campaign for Fair Food is bearing fruit,said Lucas Benitez of the CIW. For nearly two seasons, the Campaign' promise of fair wages for Florida's farmworkers has been held hostage by the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange. Today, however, the higher wages and fairer conditions we have fought for will begin to reach the workers who so clearly deserve them, thanks to the leadership of Whole Foods Market and the forward thinking growers at Alderman Farms and Lady Moon Farms."

This is a victory for those who work in Florida fields. This is also a victory for everyone who is struggling everyday and being told that they have to give up more and more --- especially in this time of 'crisis'. While people in every town and city across this country are being told that they must pay -- with their healthcare, their schools, their wages, their jobs, their homes --- for a crisis they did not create and quitefranklycan't afford, we really look to the CIW who turns the world right side up for us again!

We congratulate the CIW on this important step forward in the Campaign for Fair Food and remember that this campaign continues. Here in Philadelphia, one of the largest food service providers in the world, ARAMARK, has refused to sit down with workers. The CIW has been to Philadelphia several times to share their stories about work in Florida fields and how they see a path to changing conditions for workers. The Media Mobilizing Project and several groups in this network stand ready to support this effort to improve the conditions and lives of workers who make ARAMARK's huge profits possible.

Visit the Coalition's website to read more about this victory and the Campaign for Fair Food at www.ciw-online.org

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