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Thu Sep 22 2016 (Updated 10/13/16)
Driscoll’s Boycott in Full Force
Thu Sep 22 2016 (Updated 10/13/16)
Washington Farmworkers Ratify Union, Farmworkers in Mexico Continue Driscoll's Boycott
Labor groups have issued a statement clarifying the Driscoll's berries boycott is still in full effect and farmworkers in San Quintín, Mexico continue to work for the recognition of their union in order to negotiate the signing of a collective bargaining agreement. In Washington State, the results of an election on September 12 confirmed the independent union Familias Unidas por la Justicia as the formal representatives of farm workers at Sakuma Brothers Farm, a supplier to Driscoll’s. A rally and protest will be held at the Driscoll's distribution center in Aromas on October 15.
The National Labor Council for Latin American Advancement passed a resolution in solidarity with farmworkers at the 21st LCLAA National Membership Convention held August 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. In the resolution, the Sacramento LCLAA Chapter went on record in support of "the struggle of the 70,000 farmworkers in San Quintin and the 468 farmworkers in Skagit County, Washington, for better wages, working conditions, and the recognition of their fighting unions..."
Thu Aug 4 2016 (Updated 08/14/16)
Boycott Driscoll's Won't Stop
Thu Aug 4 2016 (Updated 08/14/16)
Boycott Driscoll’s Protest at Watsonville Strawberry Festival
On August 6 and 7, 2016, local activists engaged thousands of people at the 22nd Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival to raise awareness about the Driscoll's Boycott and the harsh realities of farmworkers who pick the precious berries. A banner declaring "No More Blood Berries" was displayed from the third-story of the Lettunich Building on Saturday and from the roof of the Mansion House on Sunday while shouting, "Boycott Driscoll's" and "No More Blood Berries." The buildings are the most iconic structures in downtown Watsonville and stand as subtle reminders of the apple growing, packing, and export industry in the Pájaro Valley. Both buildings are Santa Cruz County Historical Trust Landmarks on Main Street and overlook the Watsonville Strawberry Festival.
Sun Jul 10 2016
Bus Rider's Association Brings Change
Sun Jul 10 2016
Reflections on the Santa Cruz Bus Rider's Association
A member of the Bus Rider's Association writes: The Santa Cruz Bus Rider's Association brought some successful defense work to protect bus riders from the "harsh cuts" that initially threatened us riders and our bus system. These cuts started out looking like they would be a kind of conflagration that would burn down much of our bus system, taking a lot of jobs and bus line with it. We were alarmed, naturally.
Wed Jul 6 2016
Watsonville Brown Berets Keep Pressure on Driscoll’s
Wed Jul 6 2016
Solidarity with Farmworkers Leading the Driscoll’s Boycott
The Watsonville Brown Berets are keeping the pressure on Driscoll's, the world's largest distributor of fresh berries, who are headquartered in Watsonville, California. On July 2, the Saturday before July 4th BBQs, the Brown Berets and other community members demonstrated in front of the Safeway on Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville to raise awareness and show solidarity with farmworkers in Washington state and Baja California leading the worldwide boycott of Driscoll's berries, including all products made with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries sold by Driscoll's.
Fri Jun 3 2016
Teachers On Strike Throughout Mexico
The National Coordinating Body of Education Workers (CNTE) began an indefinite strike on May 15, primarily against plans by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to implement neoliberal reforms to the country’s education system. Peña Nieto has attempted to privatize and standardize the Mexican education system, along with instituting policies to disempower Latin America’s largest union, the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE), and its dissident and more radical faction, the CNTE.
Mon Jun 20 2016 (Updated 06/22/16)
“Welcome to Oaxaca” 2016
Mon Jun 20 2016 (Updated 06/22/16)
Major State Repression in Oaxaca: Several Killed, Dozens Wounded and Detained
The looming federal police attack on the people and striking teachers of Oaxaca, Mexico has begun. There are reports of between six and eight demonstrators killed on the morning of Sunday, June 19 at the highway blockade in Nochixtlán, northwest of the city of Oaxaca. They were shot and killed when police opened fire with live ammunition on the blockade. At least 45 others have been hospitalized with injuries, the majority gunshot wounds, and 22 have been disappeared.
On May 31, students at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA voted overwhelmingly to endorse resolutions expressing support for freedom and equality for Palestinians and labor justice for migrant workers at Sakuma Bros farm in northern Washington. The three resolutions asked students to condemn the presence of Caterpillar Inc. equipment on campus, to de-shelve Sabra hummus, and prohibit the use of Sakuma Bros berries from campus dining services.
Wed Jun 8 2016
UFW & Driscoll’s: United To Exploit
Why won't the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) support the Driscoll's Boycott? That's one of the questions UFW Vice President Lauro Barajas would not answer after he spoke at Hillary Clinton's rally in Salinas on May 25. The UFW will not reveal when their friendship with Driscoll's began. However, a photograph from May 2013 reveals their relationship with Reiter Affiliated Companies, an Oxnard-based subsidiary of Driscoll's.
Thu Jun 2 2016 (Updated 06/07/16)
Thousands of Consumers Ask Sakuma Brothers Farm to Negotiate a Fair Contract
Thu Jun 2 2016 (Updated 06/07/16)
Over 30 Organizations Ask Driscoll’s to Uphold Commitment to Freedom of Association
Leading fair trade advocacy organization Fair World Project joined over thirty other organizations in signing a letter asking Driscoll’s, the largest distributor of berries in the world, to make good on its commitment to enforcing the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. At Sakuma Brothers Farm, a Washington farm that grows blueberries and blackberries for Driscoll’s, management has refused to negotiate a contract with Familias Unidas por la Justicia.
Wed Jun 1 2016 (Updated 06/02/16)
Bus Riders in Wheelchairs: Don't Leave Us Stranded
Wed Jun 1 2016 (Updated 06/02/16)
Riders and Drivers Rally Against Transit Cuts in Santa Cruz
A group of bus riders and drivers staged a rally at the Santa Cruz downtown METRO station on May 21 in protest of planned cuts to the county bus system. METRO plans to reduce service across the county and cut more than 40 driver positions. According to documents provided at a METRO public comment meeting on May 3, “METRO needs to reduce its annual operating budget by $6.5 million for the next fiscal year.”
Wed Jun 1 2016 (Updated 06/02/16)
California Strawberry Festival: Brought To You By Exploitation
Wed Jun 1 2016 (Updated 06/02/16)
Protests Continue at Annual California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard
The California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard is one of the largest outdoor annual events in California that celebrates the success of the multi-billion dollar global agricultural industry. However, this success has come at the great economic, social and overall health expense to those who pick the berries. On May 22, a protest outside the Strawberry Festival challenged the industry and governmental efforts to overlook the social and environmental costs of strawberry production, and questioned the logic of charity festivals.
Tue May 17 2016
International Days of Action to Boycott Driscoll's
On two consecutive Saturdays, May 7 and May 14, farmworkers called for an international day of action to bring attention to the ongoing struggles in the berry fields in Washington State and San Quintin, Mexico. May 7 was initiated by Familias Unidas por la Justicia in Washington state, while Sindicato Independiente Nacional Democratico De Jornaleros Agricolas (SINDJA) farmworkers in San Quintin, Mexico called for a global day of action on May 14. Demonstrations took place in many locations, including Mexico City; Burlington, WA; Portland and Eugene, Oregon; and Eureka, Rohnert Park, Fairfield, San Leandro, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and San Diego, California.
From the Calendar:
6:30PM Wednesday Oct 19
Return Anti-Fascist Teacher Yvette Felarca to Her...
6PM Thursday Oct 20
SF UPWA Forum Taxes, Public Transit, Labor And Our...
8:30PM Saturday Oct 22
Screening Of PRESS & Report On The Struggle To Defend...
4PM Wednesday Oct 26
Jail The Bankers NOW At Wells Fargo-They Are Not Too...
7PM Friday Oct 28
Theory & Philosophy Reading Group XXI: Frances Fox...
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KPFA Solidarity With Amy Goodman & Journalists At Standing Rock Sioux Tribe In N. Dakota
Wednesday Oct 19th 2:30 PM
Solidarity with San Quintín Farmworkers at Driscoll’s Distribution Center in Aromas, CA
Monday Oct 17th 10:03 AM
Rally/Action To Support Amy Goodman and other courageous journalists At Standing Rock
Monday Oct 17th 9:52 AM
Standing with San Quintin Farmworkers & Boycott Driscoll's 10-15-2016
Sunday Oct 16th 1:15 AM
Return Anti-Fascist Teacher Yvette Felarca to Her Classroom! Stop Student Interrogations!
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Saturday Oct 15th 5:13 AM
El Boicot de Driscoll's Sigue, Haré una manifestación enfrente de un empaque en Aromas, CA
Tuesday Oct 11th 1:06 PM
Driscoll's Boycott Campaign Continues, Demonstration Planned at Packing House in Aromas, CA
Tuesday Oct 11th 1:00 PM
More Local News...
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Journalist Amy Goodman to Turn Herself in to North Dakota Authorities
Saturday Oct 15th 3:55 PM
Registered Nurse Response Network Sends Nurse Volunteers to Assist With First Aid at Standing Rock
Tuesday Oct 11th 5:06 AM
Electric cars: Running on child labour?
Saturday Oct 1st 2:32 AM
Dakota Access Pipeline and the Future of American Labor
Friday Sep 30th 7:02 AM
Nurses Applaud Federal Move to Halt Dakota Pipeline, Call for Permanent End to Project
Tuesday Sep 13th 11:44 PM
Call in the National Guard to Protect Against Native American People in North Dakota?
Tuesday Sep 13th 5:11 AM
More Global News...
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Stop Workplace Bullying-Speakout & Rally At SF City Hall For A Healthy Workplace
Wednesday Oct 19th 9:21 AM
Facebook, The Police, ADL, Tenure & The Frame-up Of Canadian Professor Anthony Hall
Saturday Oct 15th 10:02 AM
Free Korean Jailed Trade Unionists! Solidarity Rally Held At San Francisco Korean Consulat
Wednesday Oct 12th 10:35 PM
"Imagine A Day Without Censorship" Speakout At Facebook Zuckerberg's SF Mansion
Wednesday Oct 12th 6:58 PM
Korean KPTU Truckers, Subwaa & Railway Fight Deregulation, Union Busting & Repression
Wednesday Oct 12th 10:22 AM
20 Korean trade union leaders in jail - demand union rights in South Korea now!
Monday Oct 10th 5:03 AM
Regan’s Pal at Dignity Health Is a Pioneer in the Gig Economy-Tough gigging for the 1%
Saturday Oct 8th 2:21 PM
Open Newswire...
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