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Laborers make their point

By MARTÍN E. MARTÍNEZ / Vida En El Valle

SACRAMENTO -- In an unprecedented demonstration at the state Capitol Monday, hundreds of farmworkers gathered outside the governor's office to pray the Catholic rosary in memory of fellow workers who have died this year from heat exposure.

Wearing red shirts as a sign of protest, the workers approached the governor's office and knelt to pray the rosary, and to seek greater respect and dignity for the work they do.

Priest Jerry Ryle of Sacramento's St. Philomente Church led the rosary, and prayed to God to soften Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's heart so he would have mercy on farmworkers and pressure agricultural contractors and ranchers to comply fully with worker safety regulations.

"We hope this effort will move God to touch the heart of the governor and prevent the deaths of more workers," declared Ryle, who also called for a moment of silence to honor victims of the fields.

So far this year, six agricultural workers have died in the field from the heat. Critics say the deaths are due to the negligence of employers who have failed to implement safety measures to prevent sun stroke and dehydration among workers.

The latest victim was María de Jesús Álvarez, 63, who died from sun stroke after working for hours in 100-degree-plus temperatures.

According to an official report, Alvarez's workplace did not offer the shade and drinking water that agricultural employers are legally required to provide for their workers to avoid such deaths.

Before the mass rosary, workers participated in an event outside the Capitol in support of AB 2386, authored by former Assembly Speaker Fabián Núñez.

"There's a difference between the reality that's written in law and the reality that thousands of workers suffer daily in the field. That is clear to see in the six people who have died this year already, and the 14 who have died since 2004," said Núñez.

His proposal would offer workers the opportunity to vote in a secret ballot on two options: either to form a union to resolve labor problems, or to establish a regular voting system by which workers can express their desires for more favorable working conditions.

The state Senate approved the proposal the same day, by a 23-15 vote. It now goes to the Assembly for approval before it can be sent to the governor's desk.

United Farm Workers president Arturo Rodríguez said he felt good about the stae Senate vote and confident that the proposal will do well in the Assembly.

"The workers and I personally are very happy about this decision. It shows that the senators listen to us and take our concerns seriously, perhaps because they understand how important our work is in bringing food to the tables of American families," said Rodríguez.

He added that although agricultural workers don't do their work in an office, they deserve respect and protection by laws that address their needs, not least because without their work no one in this country would eat.

Luis Magaña, a farmworker leader and regional organizer of Proyecto Voz for the Stockton area, said that now more than ever the community should keep up the political pressure to ensure that the governor signs the new law.

"We need to keep pushing until the governor approves this law because workers have the right to form a union that values their needs and interests," Magaña expressed.

The afternoon of the workers' demonstration, Núñez presented a documentary titled 'Cosecha de la Vergüenza' (Harvest of Shame). The documentary denounces the poor living conditions and general suffering farm workers endure for their livelihood.

The documentary focuses on the field laborers of the Central Valley, where the majority of farm workplace deaths occur. Núñez narrates 20 minutes of footage of agricultural workers' living conditions; Núñez himself spent time living with the workers.

"I want everyone to see this documentary so they can feel the horror that I felt the moment I saw how field workers suffer," Núñez said to applause and support from the attendees.

Send e-mail to: mmartinez@vidaenelvalle.com