AMERICAN LABOUR CALIFORNIA:

WHAT IS A LIFE WORTH ?:

The following appeal is from the American United Farm Workers, and it's about the excessively lenient sentence for the contractor responsible for the death of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez. This case has been mentioned before here at Molly's Blog. The basic fact is that this young woman was killed by the heat while forced to work in adverse conditions as an agricultural labourer in California. Reports say that the contractor responsible will be let go with a suspended sentence and a minimal fine. The UFW feels that this is totally out of line with the magnitude of the crime. It certainly is as the penalty for a traffic accident causing death would be far harsher in almost every jurisdiction. And this was not an "accident". Here's the story and appeal.

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DA plea deal reduces manslaughter to community service
Less than 5 days left to fight this travesty

Time is running out and we need you to take action. March 9th is the hearing for the sentencing of the two people responsible for the heat death of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez. Maria died of heat stroke in 2008 while laboring in the scorching grape vineyards near Stockton. Her body temperature reached 108.

News reports state the district attorney is going with a plea deal that would let the accused go without even jail time, possibly with just community service. Can you believe it?

3 years probation and 40 hours community service for the owner of the labor contractor company and 400 hours of community service and a $1000 file for the company's "Safety Coordinator," instead of the original involuntary manslaughter charge?

The family and the UFW have met with the DA to no avail. The DA has told the family he is proud of setting precedent in California by convicting a labor contractor of a felony .

Is that an even exchange for the life of a young girl? What does it matter if the system calls it a "felony," if justice is not served?

I'm sure you will join us in saying “No. That is not enough!” There were laws in place to protect farm workers from heat stroke and the labor contractor and her safety supervisor had the responsibility to ensure they were followed. It's simple. They didn't. Not even the most basic heat laws were followed.

This was not a one time occurrence for this employer. In 2006, Merced Farm Labor was fined for failure to have a written heat stress prevention plan and heat stress training for workers, as required by law. But they did not care. They never even paid the fine.

Please send an e-mail immediately and tell the District Attorney, James Willett, not to set a precedent that farm workers' lives are unimportant. There must be serious consequences. Tell him that jail time is a must and nothing short of that will satisfy the family or the public.


http://action.ufw.org/pleadeal2

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THE LETTER:

Please go to the highlighted link above to send the following letter to the Disrict Attorney in charge of this case.

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Please do not go ahead with your planned plea bargain in the tragic heat death of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez.

California’s 650,000 farm workers face a daily risk of death and illness from toiling in stifling summer heat. They are at the mercy of agricultural employers and farm labor contractors who many times fail to live up to their constitutional and statutory duties to protect the safety of farm workers. Farm workers are literally dying because of the state’s broken system, which is designed in a way that ensures inadequate enforcement of the law. The laws in the books are not the laws in the fields. You have the opportunity to change this and ensure there a real consequences for breaking the law.

You have the unique opportunity to set a precedent that will make agricultural employers think twice about not following the laws of California and putting at risk the life of a human being. This will only happen if there are real consequences to farm employers breaking the law. The word "felony" is not enough.

The case of Maria Isabel Vazquez Jimenez is hard to accept, because it didn't need to happen. There is no difference between a driver killing someone while breaking our traffic laws and a labor contractor breaking the law and killing this beautiful young woman.

Maria's family and the public ask that you do everything in your power to ensure that these farm labor contractors are sentenced to the fullest extent of the law. Fines and community service hours aren't enough. Anything less than jail time is a desecration of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez' death.

Thank you.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

TAKE ACTION ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF MARIA'S DEATH:

One year ago today 17 year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez became another grim statistic in the all too frequent deaths of agricultural workers in the heat of California's fields. Today the United Farm Workers is asking that you remember her death by joining them in pressing the government of California to pass a bill removing some of the impediments to unionization of agricultural labourers in that state. Only strong unions can prevent such unnecessary deaths. Here is the UFW's appeal.

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Take action on the anniversary of Maria Isabel's heat death:
“Maria was a beautiful human being who came to this country with a lot of dreams and the desire to work hard and help her mom and younger siblings, but her dreams were cut short. A year after her passing, the best way to honor her is by making sure farm workers are protected and treated with dignity and respect.” --Doroteo Jimenez, uncle of 17 yr-old Maria Isabel, speaks at a Los Angeles area vigil commemorating Maria's life.(Video)

We want to tell you a story. We wish we could say this story is fictional. It isn't. It's a story of agribusinesses greed and indifference. It’s the story of a young girl whose life was lost before she even had a chance to start living it.

Yesterday, we marked the one year anniversary of when 17-year old Maria Isabel collapsed of heat stroke. The anniversary of her death is tomorrow on on May 16.

Maria collapsed while working for Merced Farm Labor in a vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming outside of Stockton, CA. Maria worked for nine hours in temperatures that reached 101 degrees. There was no water nearby. There was no shade.

After about 2 hours of delays, Maria was finally taken to a clinic. Her temperature upon arrival was 108.4 degrees. Maria's heart stopped six times in the next two days before she passed away. Doctors said if emergency medical help had been summoned or she had been taken to the hospital sooner, she might have survived. (click to read Maria's story.)

Governor Schwarzenegger came to her funeral and said words that gave workers hope: "Maria’s death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate. We have put in place employer regulations to prevent heat illness, and I cannot say strongly enough that they must be followed...There is no excuse for failing to protect worker safety."

Unfortunately, these were words, like the words said in movies. The state has finally filed charges in Maria's case. This is good. However, violations occur every day and little is done.

Complaints regarding lack of drinking water, shade and work breaks to make use of these simple but lifesaving measures are an everyday occurrence for farm workers (see worker stories). Last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death.
It's why SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg) is so vital. This bill, will make it easier for farm workers to organize and help enforce the laws that California's government cannot enforce. SB789 passed the California state senate and will next be heard in the state assembly and then go to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Please take action today and tell them to pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to members of the California Assembly.

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Today I join with the UFW and thousands of others to mourn the passing of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez who died one year ago. Maria collapsed on May 14 while working for Merced Farm Labor in a vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming outside of Stockton, CA. Maria worked for nine hours in temperatures that reached 101 degrees. There was no water nearby. There was no shade.

After about 2 hours of delays, Maria was finally taken to a clinic. Her temperature upon arrival was 108.4 degrees. Maria's heart stopped six times in the next two days before she passed away. Doctors said if emergency medical help had been summoned or she had been taken to the hospital sooner, she might have survived.

Maria's unnecessary death is not alone. Five other farm workers died of heat related illnesses last summer. Fifteen farm workers have died of heat-related complications since July 2004. The UFW will be conducting vigils on the anniversary of each of their death to keep the memory of these hard working men and women alive and to tell you that enough is enough--farm workers need a tool where they can protect themselves.

The state has finally filed charges in Maria's case. However, violations occur every day and nothing is done. Complaints regarding lack of drinking water, shade and work breaks to make use of these simple but lifesaving measures are an everyday occurrence for farm workers. Last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death.

Please support SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg), which has passed the senate and will next be heard in the assembly. This important bill will make it easier for farm workers to organize and enforce the laws that California's government is not enforcing.

We need your help to do more to prevent unnecessary deaths from occurring this year. Having laws on the books that often are not enforced is not enough. Please pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

MURDER BY ANOTHER NAME:

The following appeal is from the United Farm Workers of the USA. Over a year since the death of farmworker Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, previously reported here at Molly's Blog, state officials have finally decided to lay "involuntary manslaughter" charges against officials of the labour contractor by whom she was employed. The UFW are calling for support in pressuring the government of California to pass a bill that will make it easier for farmworkers to organize and actually enforce the laws that are on the books via a strong union presence. Here's their appeal.

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SB789 Passes CA State Senate on Lobby Day. Take the next step.:
Involuntary manslaughter charges were filed today against three top officials of the defunct labor contractor company, Merced Farm Labor, in the case of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez--who died of a heat stroke last May 16.





The UFW applauds the District Attorney's decision to prosecute this as the crime it was. It never should have happened. An innocent young girl never should have died due to grower indifference. (Click to read Maria’s story.)





However, violations occur every day and nothing is done. Last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death. Complaints regarding lack of drinking water, shade and work breaks to make use of these simple but lifesaving measures are an everyday occurrence for farm workers. (Click to read farm worker stories.) Farm workers can’t afford to wait until such an audacious violation such as Maria’s finally causes the state to react.





That's why farm workers need this bill that will give then the means to protect themselves. It's why SB789 is so vital. SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg) will make it easier for farm workers to organize and help enforce the laws that California's government cannot enforce.





SB789 just passed the California state senate yesterday. It will next be heard in the state assembly and then go to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Please e-mail Calif. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and/or your Assembly members. Tell them to pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.





Please take action today. Help protect the men and women who are in the fields working under the sweltering sun working to put food on our tables.
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THE LETTER:
Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California Assembly.
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Please support SB789, CA Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers (Steinberg).




SB789 just passed the senate floor and will next be heard in the assembly. This important bill will make it easier for farm workers to organize and enforce the laws that California's government is not enforcing.





Farm workers are forced to deal with abuses and safety violations on a daily basis. Things like a lack of clean drinking water, shade to protect them from the searing sun, and clean restrooms. It's time for these abuses to end.





Just this week, involuntary manslaughter charges were filed today against three top officials of the defunct labor contractor company, Merced Farm Labor, in the case of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez--who died of a heat stroke last May 16. I applaud the District Attorney's decision to prosecute this as the crime it was. It never should have happened.
However, last year five other farm workers died of heat-related causes after Maria's death. Farm workers can't afford to wait until such an audacious violation such as Maria's finally causes the state to react.





We need your help to do more to prevent unnecessary deaths from occurring this year. Having laws on the books that often are not enforced is not enough. Please pass SB789, a bill that will give farm workers the power to protect themselves.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

PUTTING THE HEAT ON ARNIE:

Despite a seemingly never ending stream of platitudes from the government of California farmworkers continue to die every year at a very unfortunate frequency. Here's an appeal from the United Farm Workers, asking you to put the heat on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for action that really works to prevent these tragedies.

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Rhetoric is not enough to protect farm workers from the heat:
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Cal-OSHA has announced today that they are kicking off a campaign to train employers to protect farm workers from the heat. Ironically, the same agency just proposed changes that actually undermine the current regulations aimed to protect workers from dying or becoming ill from extreme heat.

Teaching growers how to avoid illness and deaths among their workforce is important, but it’s not enough. At the same time, the governor must make sure the laws are enforced. Such a system surely includes giving farm workers the tools to protect themselves.

For the past four years, the United Farm Workers has worked tirelessly to prevent heat deaths. In response to pressure from the UFW and their supporters, Gov. Schwarzenegger issued heat regulations. Despite these regulations, six farm workers died in the summer of 2008—as the rules went unenforced and ignored by employers.

The evidence points to neglect--not ignorance--as the cause of farm worker deaths. Also, the state's consistent reduction of fines for violations has made these regulations ineffective. Please take action today and help us tell the governor that more of the same will not prevent deaths. Farm workers need a system that works. This requires a multi-faceted approach which would include: enforcing existing laws, giving farm workers the tools to protect themselves, and seeking serious criminal penalties for those whose gross negligence has caused the death of innocent people.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

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Since you have been governor, 15 farm workers' deaths have been investigated as heat-related. This is simply unacceptable. Your state agency, Cal-OSHA, has just announced that they are kicking off a campaign to train employers to protect farm workers from the heat. Teaching growers how to avoid illness and deaths among their workforce is important, but it's not enough.
More of the same will not prevent deaths. Farm workers need a system that works. This requires a multi-faceted approach which would include: enforcing existing laws, giving farm workers the tools to protect themselves, and seeking serious criminal penalties for those whose gross negligence has caused the death of innocent people.

For the past four years, the United Farm Workers has worked tirelessly to prevent heat deaths among farm workers. In 2006, you issued new heat regulations. However despite these regulations, six farm workers died in the summer of 2008--as the rules went unenforced and ignored by the employers.

The evidence points to neglect--not ignorance--as the cause of farm worker deaths. In addition, the state's consistent reduction of fines for violations has rendered these regulations ineffective. After last summer's death of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez you said, "Maria's death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate." You promised to "work together in California to prevent this from happening to anyone else." Your enforcement has not saved lives. And your administration has not "rigorously enforced" the law.

In May 2008, 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died of heat illness, working for Merced Farm Labor. The Associated Press reported that the state ignored collecting the fine on Merced Farm Labor for not complying with heat regulations back in 2006. Worse, the state also did not perform follow-up inspections. Consequently, young Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died while working at a company that provided no shade, did not have adequate water, and had no emergency plan in place. All due to the same type of negligence Cal-OSHA had fined the same company for in 2006. After Maria Isabel's death, you boasted that enforcement was at its highest level. Yet sadly, the lives of five more farm workers were lost this past summer.

It's time to stop talking and to start taking action.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

THE GUBERNATOR STRIKES-FARM LABOUR BILL TERMINATED:

The following news item is from the American United Farm Workers. Despite a torrid summer in which six farm workers died in California of heat stroke the governor of that state, Arnold Schwarzenegger, vetoed a bill that would have reformed the union representation elections and given farm workers the tools they need to ensure decent working conditions. The Governor, in his veto, expressed confidence that the state's labour standards were being enforced, but the facts say otherwise. See the story below.

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Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes AB 2386, secret ballot election reform:
We need to share some very disappointing news with you and then ask you to e-mail Gov. Schwarzenegger and let him know how you feel. Last week, the Governor vetoed AB 2386, a vital bill to reform secret ballot elections for farm workers. With this single stroke of his pen, the governor denied farm workers the tool they need to protect themselves. While we are disappointed with the Governor's veto, sadly we are not surprised.

When the governor vetoed a bill with similar goals last year, his veto message said:

"I am directing my Labor and Workforce Development Agency to work with the proponents of this bill to ensure that all labor laws and regulations are being vigorously enforced, and to make it absolutely clear to all concerned that my veto is premised on an expectation that agricultural workers receive the full protections of the law."

Tragically this has not happened. During the black summer of 2008, as many as six farm workers died due to heat-related causes.

Governor Schwarzenegger's enforcement has not saved lives. And his administration has not "rigorously enforced" the law. In May of this year, 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died of heat illness, working for Merced Farm Labor. The Associated Press reported that the state ignored collecting the fine on Merced Farm Labor for not complying with heat regulations back in 2006. Worse, the state also did not perform follow-up inspections.

Consequently, young Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died while working at a company that provided no shade, did not have adequate water, and had no emergency plan in place. All due to the same type of negligence Cal-OSHA had fined the same company for in 2006. After Maria Isabel's death, the Governor boasted that enforcement was at its highest level. Yet sadly, the lives of five more farm workers were lost this past summer.

In last week's veto message, the Governor says he can enforce the laws. But his words ring hollow. The support of poor farm workers means so much less to him than the support of big money agricultural interests. We also know that had it not been for the Governor's fundraising agenda, or had we been a rich organization the Governor may have been willing to sign a bill for farm workers.
Please e-mail the Governor today!

http://www.ufwaction.org/ct/EpzuCuF19PG_/takeaction

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THE LETTER:

Please click on one of links above to send the following letter to Governor Schwarzenegger:

You're no different than Gov. Pete Wilson when it comes to Latinos. I'm very disappointed in you.

After the death of 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez you said, "Maria's death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate." You promised to "work together in California to prevent this from happening to anyone else."

Instead you vetoed the very bill that could give farm workers a voice to protect themselves.

Just like when you vetoed a bill with similar goals last year, you said you would step up regulatory enforcement.

However, since you made your original promise last year, as many as six farm workers died due to heat-related causes during the black summer of 2008.

Your enforcement has not saved lives. And your administration has not "rigorously enforced" the law. In May of this year, 17-year old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died of heat illness, working for Merced Farm Labor. The Associated Press reported that the state ignored collecting the fine on Merced Farm Labor for not complying with heat regulations back in 2006. Worse, the state also did not perform follow-up inspections.

Consequently, young Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez died while working at a company that provided no shade, did not have adequate water, and had no emergency plan in place. All due to the same type of negligence Cal-OSHA had fined the same company for in 2006. After Maria Isabel's death, you boasted that enforcement was at its highest level. Yet sadly, the lives of five more farm workers were lost this past summer.

Your words ring hollow. The support of poor farm workers means so much less to you than the support of big money agricultural interests. I believe if had it not been for your fundraising agenda, or if the UFW was a rich organization you may have been willing to sign a bill for farm workers instead of again putting their lives in jeopardy.

I'm disappointed in you. I expected better.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

STILL MORE ON MARIA:

Since the last appeal was published 'Trader Joe's' has replied to the United Farm Workers appeal in the previous blog post. Their reply was about as appetizing as a 3:00 am alcoholic trip to the local plonk shop (impossible here in Canada outside of Québec) to get the most repulsive booze to continue the party (see the Gospel on serving the best wine first- one wonders what "Two Buck Chuck" refers to, perhaps something like 'Dead Duck' wine up here in the frozen north). The reply to this reply by the UFW, along with a new appeal, follows below.

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Tell Trader Joe's to Chuck the Excuses
Earlier this week we told you about the connection between the tragic heat death of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez and Charles Shaw wines--known as "Two Buck Chuck"--that is sold at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's boasts about their "great relationship with a valued supplier" (Charles Shaw) on their website.

Thousands asked Trader Joe's to encourage their "valued supplier" to improve conditions for farm workers at the farms affiliated with Bronco Winery, the producer of Charles Shaw wines. Instead of dealing with the issue, Trader Joe's sent many UFW supporters a misleading response full of half-truths and evasions.

Below is the UFW's response to their assertions:
Trader Joe’s assertion: Maria Jimenez was employed by an independent contractor, working in an independent vineyard. The vineyard supplies many wineries, but was not supplying grapes for Charles Shaw.
Reality: Trader Joe's prides itself on serving the most progressive, health conscious consumers in our society. They should not evade the issue by pointing to contractor arrangements made by the winery to insulate itself from responsibility for exploitation of the workers. Trader Joe's needs to take moral responsibility and help end that exploitation.

Trader Joe’s assertion: The company employing the young farm worker has no more of a relation to Trader Joe's than they do to any other wine retailer or restaurant.
Reality: The facts in this case are clear: Maria Isabel Jimenez died a tragic death while working on a farm--West Coast Farms--co-owned by Fred Franzia. Mr. Franzia is also the owner of Bronco Winery, which produces Charles Shaw wines. It is widely reported that 5-13 million cases of Charles Shaw wine is sold at Trader Joe's stores per year.

We are not denying that Maria was paid through a farm labor contractor. As attorney Robert Perez who is representing Maria's family in a wrongful death lawsuit told the Sacramento Bee, "The reason why corporate farms hire labor contractors is not to have to deal with farm workers themselves and to shield themselves from liability."

However, the above facts need to be considered to understand the complete story. And although we have never said that Maria worked on a field dedicated to Charles Shaw, the set of relationships in play in this incident are very clear.

Trader Joe's assertion: Our vendors have a strong record of providing safe and healthy work environments and we are currently making certain that our vendors are meeting government standards throughout all aspects of their businesses.
Reality: In the case of Maria, the labor contractor she worked for had been fined for heat violations in 2006, though the state never collected the fines. They were shut down after Maria's death. West Coast Farming continues to use unscrupulous labor contractors that don't abide by the law. Last week, workers filed charges with Cal OSHA for lack of water and shade at one of the company's locations.

Trader Joe's touts its concern for safe and healthy work environments regarding its vendors. What specific steps is the retailer taking to make certain that its vendors are meeting government standards in this aspect of their businesses? Why shouldn't the retailer demand better from the contractors its vendors use?

The summer has just begun and more sizzling temperatures are expected this weekend. Please click to send a fax to Trader Joe's corporate headquarters today and ask that they implement a corporate policy to ensure that their suppliers are not violating the law by failing to provide basic protections such as cold water, shade and clean bathrooms.

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/traderjoes

AMERICAN LABOUR:

MORE ON MARIA:

Molly has previously reported on the case of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, a farm worker who recently died of heat stroke in California. The following is an appeal from the United Farm Workers in the USA to pressure a customer of the vineyard where she died to demand better labour standards in the fields where their grapes are grown.

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Farm worker who died connected to "Two-Buck Chuck."

Take Action Today!
We told you about the tragic death of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez who died while laboring in a Stockton area vineyard in 100 plus degree heat. According to a Wednesday AP story, the San Joaquin County Coroner has officially confirmed that Maria died of heat stroke. Maria had been working 8 hours in the blistering heat without shade or sufficient water. The closest water supply was a 10 minute walk away. (Click to read Maria's story.)

According to worker charges filed with Cal OSHA, the land owner where Maria suffered heat stroke continues to utilize labor contractors that don't abide by the law. And Friday, a month after Maria's passing, another charge was filed for lack of water and shade at one of the company's locations.

Because Maria worked for a labor contractor, she most likely never knew she was part of the production team for Bronco Winery who is better known for Charles Shaw wines--commonly called "Two-Buck Chuck." This best selling wine is available exclusively at Trader Joe's stores. According to Trader Joe's web site, "these super-value wines began as the result of an oversupply of wine and a great relationship with a valued supplier."

Help us ask Trader Joe's to use their "great relationship" to protect the workers who labor to pick the crop. Ask Trader Joe's to implement a corporate policy to ensure that their suppliers are not violating the law by failing to provide farm workers with basic protections such as cold water, shade and clean bathrooms.

Requests of this type are not new to Trader Joe's. Back in 2005 after the Humane Society and customers expressed concerns, Trader Joe's agreed to sell only cage free eggs under the company's label. We commend Trader Joe's for this corporate responsibility and ask them to do the same for farm workers. After all isn't the life of a farm worker as important as the life of a chicken?

Trader Joe's web site says "we listen to what our customers tell us about the choices we give them." Please ask Trader Joe's to listen and take action today. As the exclusive distributor of Charles Shaw wines, they need to take corporate responsibility before more farm workers, like Maria die due to grower neglect.

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/2buckchuck

AMERICAN LABOUR:

SEND CONDOLENCES TO MARIA'S FAMILY:

The following notice is from the United Farm Workers of the USA, as they commemorate the life and death of Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, murdered by the bosses who refused to obey heat regulations in the fields of California.

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Why is the company silent ?

Last week we told you about the tragic death of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez. Maria died due to heat stroke while laboring in a Stockton area vineyard.

Maria Isabel, who was two months pregnant, was working for Merced Farm Labor in a vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming. Her body temperature was 108.4 degrees when she was finally taken to a hospital nearly two hours after she collapsed. (Click to read Maria's story.)

To date no one from the companies involved has had the decency to express condolences to Maria's family--not the farm labor contractor, not the company who owns the field where Maria labored, nor the wine distributor. There have been no letters, no one showed up at the funeral--nothing.

Please help us show Maria's family--including her grieving mother--the support from the community at large. Help us show her the impact Maria’s life and death had on strangers she never knew, people whose paths never crossed hers.

Please write a condolence note to Maria’s mother and family--a line or two will do--although you are welcome to write more. Help us show Maria’s mother that thousands of people recognize the value of Maria's life.

We will be printing out these letters and giving them to Maria’s grieving mother. Please tell her you care.

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/maria

Tell-A-Friend: Forward this message to at least 10 friends or family and ask them to send a letter too.

Associated Press reported that Jimenez' employer, Merced Farm Labor, had been issued “three citations in 2006 for exposing workers to heat stroke, failing to train workers on heat stress prevention...” They said the $2,250 it owes in fines has not been paid.

06/02/2008 News10.net: Hundreds Begin Four-Day March in Lodi in Memory of Fallen Farm Worker (Video)

05/31/2008 Sacramento Bee: Editorial - A tragedy in the farm fields is all too familiar

Photos of Pilgrimage for Fallen Farm Workers, Day 1/Fotos de Peregrinacion por Campesinos Caidos, Dia uno

Video: Maria's fiance Florentino Bautista talks about what happened on May 14./Video: El comprometido de Maria, Florentino Bautista, habla sobre lo que paso el 14 de mayo

More media clips, news releases, video, photos and updates at: www.ufw.org/heatregs

AMERICAN LABOUR:

THE DEATH OF MARIA:

Workplace tragedies happen daily. Death at work is more common than death in war in our modern world, and many (most ??) of these deaths are preventable, even though such prevention may seem too costly or too inconvenient for the bosses. Here's a tragic story of one such recent death, courtesy of the United Farm Workers, and the efforts that that union is making to prevent such sad occurrences in the future.

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TEENAGE WORKER DIES OF HEAT STROKE:
How much is the life of a farm worker worth? Is it less than the life of any other human being?

I need to tell you about a story that will break your heart, and then I need to ask you for help so we can prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.

I just spoke at the funeral of 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez. Maria was working in a grape vineyard outside Stockton during the 1st heat wave of this year. She became ill due to the heat as the farm labor contractor and grower she worked for, like many others, did not provide the protections required by law. (Please read Maria’s story below.)

The death of this young pregnant girl is hard to accept because it did not need to happen.
This is not the first time farm workers have needlessly died from the heat. Ten have died over the last four years.

Three farm workers perished from the heat in summer 2005, when Governor Schwarzenegger issued the regulation to prevent such deaths.

In 2007, 36% of employers inspected by Cal-OSHA were not following the heat regulation, according to a story in the Sacramento Bee. Associated Press just reported that Jimenez's employer, Merced Farm Labor, had been issued three citations in 2006 for exposing workers to heat stroke, failing to train workers on heat stress prevention and not installing toilets at the work site. To date the $2,250 it owes in fines has not been paid, according to the article.
The UFW is sponsoring a four-day pilgrimage in Maria's memory that will begin this Sunday, June 1st from the Lodi church where Maria’s final eulogy was held. Over the 4 days, peregrinos ("pilgrims"-Molly)will walk approximately 50 miles to California’s Sacramento capitol. They will then appeal to the Governor and lawmakers to protect farm workers in the fields and ensure nothing like this ever occurs again.

This pilgrimage will cost at least $36,068 to cover the costs of buses and vans for farm workers, food, housing, and of course cool water for the hot sun. We're asking our internet supporters to contribute 15% of the cost which is $5,410.

Please help. Maria had only one life and now it is gone. This peregrination and the good that can come of it for other farm workers can help affirm that Maria’s life was important and that she didn’t die in vain.

Sincerely,Arturo S. Rodriguez President, UFW
Please make your donation today!https://secure.ga6.org/08/pilgrimage

PS: If you live in the area, please join us. Click here for the daily schedule and updates in this life and death issue.
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Maria’s Story
On May 14, the official temperature was 95 degrees; it was even hotter inside the wine grape vineyard owned by West Coast Grape Farming, east of Stockton, where Maria and her fiancé, Florentino Bautista, worked. Maria had been working for nine hours.

At 3:40 p.m. Maria became dizzy. She didn’t know where she was and didn’t recognize Florentino. Maria passed out. Florentino helplessly held her in his arms.

There was no water for the workers from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. When water arrived, it was a 10-minute walk from where Maria was working, too far to access. There was no shade or training for foremen and workers about what to do if someone became ill from the heat—as required by law.

The foreman came over and stood four or five feet away, staring at the couple for about five minutes. He said, "Oh, that’s what happens to people, but don’t worry. If you apply some rubbing alcohol to her, it will go away." It didn’t. After a number of delays Maria was taken to a clinic. On the in Lodi, the foreman called on the driver’s cell phone and spoke to Florentino. “If you take her to a clinic,” the foreman said, “don’t say she was working [for the contractor]. Say she became sick because she was jogging to get exercise. Since she’s underage, it will create big problems for us.”

They arrived at the clinic at 5:15 p.m., more than an hour and a half after Maria was stricken. She was so sick an ambulance took her to the hospital. Doctors said her temperature upon arrival was 108.4 degrees, far beyond what the human body can take.

Maria’s heart stopped six times in the next two days before she passed away on Friday.
Doctors said if emergency medical help had been summoned or she had been taken to the hospital sooner, she might have survived.

It is hard for Maria’s family and her fiancé, Florentino, to accept her death, knowing it could have been prevented.

Florentino, said, “There should be justice for what happened. It wasn’t just. It wasn’t fair what they did.”

The grief that fills our hearts today inspires our work tomorrow. Your donation today can help us send a strong message to the governor and lawmakers and prevent future tragedies.
News Clips
5/30/06:Sacramento Bee Multimedia presentation of Maria's funeral
5/30/08 Sacramento Bee: Employer of farmworker who died had been fined for violations in 2006
5/29/08 Associated Press: County officials begin criminal probe into farmworker death
5/29/08 Sacramento Bee: Teen farmworker's death, probed as heat-related, stirs outcry
5/29/08 La Opinion: Lamentan muerte de campesina por insolación
To see other news coverage and the eulogy I read at the funeral, please click here.
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