Word: grower
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...Ferrara cites as evidence the testimony of one state official. But according to L.A. Times reporters, the UFW strikes have had overwhelming support from the workers. They reported that in 1973, over 90% of the grape workers in the Coachella Valley struck, despite the best efforts of the growers and the Teamsters. And Inter-Harvest, California's largest lettuce grower, was forced to admit, "The Teamsters have our contracts, but the UFW has our workers." (Nation, 9/3/73...
...villain in the eyes of most Chavez supporters is the grower, but the growers have also been victims of Chavez's misrepresentations. On the Johnny Carson show, Chavez supporter Gloria Steinem told a national audience, "This (California's San Joaquin Valley) is the heart of the agri-business, which is an enormous industry. This is not just farmers or anything. This is land owned by the railroads and rich banks and corporations, land that is the size of many European countries...
...most important reason for Chavez's lack of support is that the workers did not want to allow anyone to gain absolute power over their jobs. Under the contracts Chavez sought, the growers would not be able to hire the workers. A grower would have to ask the UFW to send him men when he needed them and the UFW would then assign workers...
Roadside signs warning that "avocado rustlers will be prosecuted" amuse the fruit filchers. Neither a state law making the theft of more than $50 worth of avocados grand larceny nor a growers' reward of $750 for information leading to conviction of rustlers has deterred the thieves, who sometimes make off with whole 800-lb. bins of freshly picked green gold. San Diego County is now drawing up an ordinance that would require anyone transporting more than 40 Ibs. of avocados to have a bill of sale. But growers have little hope that the law will nip the avocado-nappers...
Other criticism focuses on the U.F.W.A.'s poorly run medical benefits program. Farm Worker Concepción Garcia claims that when she tried to collect a $300 maternity payment from the U.F.W.A., "I was told that I was ineligible because the grower I work for was a thief. I complained, and finally the person in the union office said I could have the money if I would steal his books...