Coalition Of Immokalee Workers Raises Standards For Tomato Pickers

http://www.laborradio.org/node/13362

Submitted by Doug Cunningham on April 20, 2010 - 6:46pm
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The Coalition of Immokalee Workers continues to raise the quality of life for tomato pickers in Florida. Jesse Russell reports:

Workers seeking better wages and working conditions from Publix Super Markets marched more than 30 miles over the weekend. The march was from Tampa, Florida to Lakeland, Florida and included more than 500 people. They are making the demands for Florida tomato pickers who are represented by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. The organization is asking Publix to sign onto an agreement which would require the company to only purchase tomatoes from farms where they have a workers code of conduct established. The contract would also provide one penny more per pound for the workers. Publix argues that the dispute has nothing to do with the chain, but instead is between the workers and the suppliers. Burger King, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Aramark have all signed onto similar agreements with the coalition. The march was part of a three day campaign to bring attention to the demands and a rally in Lakeland on Sunday drew more than 1000 supporters.