Salinas prepares for worker walkout
Salinas prepares for worker walkout
SALINAS, CA -- Though the effects of an expected national boycott and walkout of workers planned for May 1 are as yet unknown, efforts are being made here in agriculture to lessen the economic blow.
At the heart of upcoming May 1 demonstrations nationwide are a multitude of issues surrounding U.S. immigration policy. Jim Bogart, president of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, said the agriculture industry "is sympathetic and supportive" of issues that have led to the May 1 boycott and walkouts, and the industry has worked and continues to work on comprehensive immigration reform.
There are three main areas within immigration reform that concern the industry, Mr. Bogart said: amnesty and adjustment of workers' status, border security and guestworker programs. He said that it is the amnesty and adjustment of workers' status that appears to be of most interest and concern for those workers -- mostly field workers -- who may participate in Monday's walkout.
"Our concern is to let us know if you're going to work Monday," Mr. Bogart said, adding that companies here have been talking with their workers about Monday's plans. Some companies are planning to have workers harvesting the fields this Sunday -- typically a day off -- to defray the impact of worker shortages on Monday.
Mr. Bogart said that his sense is that many workers likely will feel they can't afford to take Monday off without pay. Such is more likely the case with seasonal workers -- generally the ones most affected by the immigration debate -- than year-round workers. Also, supplies are on the light side early in the harvest here, which may lessen the economic impact of any worker shortage.
The marches in Salinas on Monday are planned for 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., both starting well away from the downtown area. The timing of the marches leaves open the prospect of field workers attending the marches and still working that day, as opposed to a full walkout or boycott.
At the heart of upcoming May 1 demonstrations nationwide are a multitude of issues surrounding U.S. immigration policy. Jim Bogart, president of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, said the agriculture industry "is sympathetic and supportive" of issues that have led to the May 1 boycott and walkouts, and the industry has worked and continues to work on comprehensive immigration reform.
There are three main areas within immigration reform that concern the industry, Mr. Bogart said: amnesty and adjustment of workers' status, border security and guestworker programs. He said that it is the amnesty and adjustment of workers' status that appears to be of most interest and concern for those workers -- mostly field workers -- who may participate in Monday's walkout.
"Our concern is to let us know if you're going to work Monday," Mr. Bogart said, adding that companies here have been talking with their workers about Monday's plans. Some companies are planning to have workers harvesting the fields this Sunday -- typically a day off -- to defray the impact of worker shortages on Monday.
Mr. Bogart said that his sense is that many workers likely will feel they can't afford to take Monday off without pay. Such is more likely the case with seasonal workers -- generally the ones most affected by the immigration debate -- than year-round workers. Also, supplies are on the light side early in the harvest here, which may lessen the economic impact of any worker shortage.
The marches in Salinas on Monday are planned for 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., both starting well away from the downtown area. The timing of the marches leaves open the prospect of field workers attending the marches and still working that day, as opposed to a full walkout or boycott.
