UFW-supported bill would give new option for farmworkers to unionize

[Omaha Steve]

http://thecalifornian.com/article/20090401/NEWS01/90401028/1002

By JAKE HENSHAW • [e-mail] • April 1, 2009

SACRAMENTO - The campaign to give farmworkers another option for organizing a union resumed Wednesday.

Right now, state officials conduct an election with a secret ballot among agricultural workers targeted in an organizing drive.

But for several years, unions and their allies have argued that organizers should have the option of collecting the signatures of a majority of farmworkers on state-issued cards to establish a bargaining unit.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed bills proposing three different versions of this approach, but supporters are back this year with Senate leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, as the bill's author.

His measure, Senate Bill 789, would give farmworkers the option of using a secret election or the "card check" approach to organize.

Advocates led by the United Farm Workers have argued the bill is necessary to ensure fairer organizing opportunities for workers that could lead to stronger enforcement of labor laws with union representation.

FULL story at link.