California strawberry pickers fired for walking off job to flee wildfire

[hue]

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. There’s 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 fire’s 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/

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Here's a prime example why unions are essential!

[Hugabear]

1. Modern day plantations

Looks like not much has changed

[Yo_Mama]

18. The union got it reversed

This is why unions are so deeply necessary.

[BainsBane]

2. capitalism at its worse

Unfucking real.

[snappyturtle]

3. Wish all workers would walk off and let the crops rot. nt

[Skeeter Barnes]

4. These were improper discharges. Should have been a return to work with full back pay.

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.

Union reps, including Barrajas, met with the farm’s managers and applied a union rule, “No worker shall work under conditions where they feel his life or health is in danger.”

[Javaman]

5. This is how we get our produce

Perhaps the other workers will become members of the UFW. I hope so. No one should be treated like this.

[alp227]

6. What, did the farmer want the workers to just die or get hurt in the fire? n/t

[Selatius]

19. Some companies like Walmart take out "dead peasants" insurance on their own employees.

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]

7. Doncha know? We gotta get rid of those yoonyins fer Amurkins ta prosper!

Yoonyin is jest another word fer lazy!

[mountain grammy]

8. Too funny and sadly, true. Laughing though my tears.

[Sunlei]

9. reminds me of the workers I saw when the new road went in near my house.

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]

12. "it's only going to get worse" - ain't that the truth...

Whilst the media goes apeshit with its Cleveland coverage the House passed a bill getting rid of the 40-hour work week...

[PeaceNikki]

11. It's right there in the OP...

"The workers, employees of Crisalida Farms in Oxnard, located 11 miles south of the fire’s center..."

[PlanetBev]

14. I'll make a point not to get my strawberries from that farm.

Jerks....

[PlanetBev]

13. I work and live 10 minutes East of Camarillo

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]

17. They were seen not as humans but as machines. They are likely seen as replaceable. nt

[PeaceNikki]

15. UPDATE: workers were not fired and welcomed back on farm ??

http://www.keyt.com/news/farmworkers/-/17671600/20071426/-/8j2h9c/-/index.html

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]

16. Welcomed back? Almost all of the workers refused to come back.

Workers should boycott this farm and let the strawberries rot.

[PeaceNikki]

20. Thanks, I had to Google a bit further to see that ...

http://gawker.com/ca-farm-workers-fired-for-leaving-field-to-escape-fire-498628782
"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]

21. They went there to work

They didn't go there to DIE!

[Brigid]

22. Did this farmer seriously expect . . .

That these workers would risk their health -- and maybe their lives -- to pick his freaking strawberries?? Good Lord!

[Le Taz Hot]

23. The article says "a foreman."

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.