Farm labor unions fight for workers in the Central Valley

Associated Press

April 16, 2016

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) – The Agricultural Labor Relations Board has upheld a ruling by an administrative law judge who found one of the nation’s largest fruit growers interfered with its employees’ process to decide whether to reject union representation.

The board says Gerawan Farming Inc. allowed employees in favor of decertifying the United Farm Workers from representing them to gather signatures during worktime but prohibited pro-Union workers to do the same.

The board on Friday also unanimously affirmed the judge’s decision to sets aside a 2013 election held by workers at Gerawan Farming Inc.

It says it also affirmed the judge’s findings that Gerawan unlawfully granted a wage increase during the decertification campaign to win the favor of workers.

Gerawan says in a statement it will appeal the board’s “unjust and undemocratic” decision.