CIW-McDonald's agreement draws strong reaction from Florida tomato industry
CIW-McDonald's agreement draws strong reaction from Florida tomato industry
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers and McDonald's USA joined together April 9 at the Carter Center in Atlanta to announce an agreement wherein beginning with the 2007 Florida tomato season production, McDonald's will pay CIW one penny per pound for Florida tomatoes that it purchases for its 13,000 U.S. restaurants. The money will be designated to farmworker needs.
In the announcement, McDonald's also agreed to work with CIW to develop a new code of conduct for Florida tomato growers and to increase farmworker participation in monitoring supplier compliance. That participation will include investigating worker complaints and engaging in dispute resolutions. The two groups will also work together toward implementing a credible third- party verification system.
CIW refers to itself as a community-based worker organization whose membership is comprised of primarily Latino, Haitian and Mayan immigrants working in Florida. Structured along the lines of a "worker center" model, it seeks to involve its members in working on behalf of its interests, which focus mostly on improved worker conditions and salaries.
Formed in 1993, the organization has seen major successes, including a first-of-its-kind agreement with Taco Bell in March 2005.
In 2001, Yum! Brands Inc., the parent company of Taco Bell, faced a boycott by CIW in an attempt to pressure the company into accepting responsibility for the working conditions and wages of farmworkers that supply tomatoes to its restaurants. In March 2005, the two organizations came to an agreement to pay a penny per pound extra for tomatoes, with proceeds designated to worker wages. Yum! Brands also agreed to work with the CIW to enforce a code of conduct to monitor worker complaints and avoid abuses in the fields. CIW targeted McDonald's in 2005 with actions similar to those used against Yum Brands four years earlier. CIW was preparing for a cross-country bus tour to protest in front of the company's Oak Brook, IL, headquarters when the agreement was reached.
The Carter Center, which was founded by former President Jimmy Carter and is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering, was the setting for the announcement. Commenting on the agreement, President Carter said, "I welcome McDonald's commitment to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve the lives of the workers who supply their 13,000 U.S. restaurants with tomatoes."
Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange in Maitland, FL, said that there are many problems and unanswered questions regarding the agreement. One is that it casts a negative shadow on the Florida tomato industry regarding farmworker issues and concerns.
"In fact, our industry is extremely progressive in this regard," said Mr. Brown. "We meet the highest standards and criteria for worker conditions, yet we find ourselves villianized by agreements that are accusatory in tone, such as this one between CIW and McDonald's. In all of the audits conducted in our industry over the years, only a minimal number of minor infractions, such as a missing fire extinguisher, have been found. One worker had false paperwork in his possession that claimed he was older than he was, and he was immediately removed from the job. CIW's activities, however, make our industry professionals appear to be operating abusive slave camps. It is truly offensive and insulting to this wonderful industry."
Mr. Brown added that the agreement is in essence a form of extortion by a third party in that it dictates what companies must pay their employees. He said the Florida tomato industry is not rolling over and ignoring the issue. It is currently planning to confer with attorneys to determine the legality of this agreement and others that are similar in nature.
"I say to my fellow produce professionals in all categories across the country and around the world: If this can happen to the Florida tomato industry, it can -- and likely will -- also eventually happen in your industry. It is important that everyone in the produce industry learn about this issue and take a stand on the side of legal and fair commerce."
The coalition also began a similar campaign against Burger King Corp. recently. The Miami-based company responded in a statement that it cannot control what its suppliers pay their workers.
There is also the competitive issue to consider. The story has gained national and international attention, including on major television networks and newspapers across the United States, and in Canada and Mexico -- both of which are also major tomato producers.
Grape tomatoes from Florida are the primary product category that will be affected by the penny-per-pound agreement. McDonald's -- not tomato producers -- will be paying the assessment. What if McDonald's turns to Canadian greenhouses or Mexican field and greenhouse product? Mr. Brown said that competitors have already begun making offers to offset McDonald's assessment in the agreement.
There are also many other U.S. tomato-producing states to consider. If McDonald's turns its purchasing arm, or even a percentage of it, to California, Arizona or any other tomato-producing state, it could have a major impact on the Florida industry. If it did use other sources, would McDonald's continue to pay the penny per pound into CIW's coffers? And if so, would that money then go to farmworkers in Florida or in the states where the item is produced? And, most important at the moment, how would the lost business or any other aspect of this agreement affect the Florida tomato industry?
Mr. Brown agreed there are many questions yet to be answered, and he said that Florida tomato industry professionals intend to find the answers to every one and do what they deem necessary to protect an industry that has sustained thousands of people, farmworkers included, and fed millions around the world, for many generations.
In the announcement, McDonald's also agreed to work with CIW to develop a new code of conduct for Florida tomato growers and to increase farmworker participation in monitoring supplier compliance. That participation will include investigating worker complaints and engaging in dispute resolutions. The two groups will also work together toward implementing a credible third- party verification system.
CIW refers to itself as a community-based worker organization whose membership is comprised of primarily Latino, Haitian and Mayan immigrants working in Florida. Structured along the lines of a "worker center" model, it seeks to involve its members in working on behalf of its interests, which focus mostly on improved worker conditions and salaries.
Formed in 1993, the organization has seen major successes, including a first-of-its-kind agreement with Taco Bell in March 2005.
In 2001, Yum! Brands Inc., the parent company of Taco Bell, faced a boycott by CIW in an attempt to pressure the company into accepting responsibility for the working conditions and wages of farmworkers that supply tomatoes to its restaurants. In March 2005, the two organizations came to an agreement to pay a penny per pound extra for tomatoes, with proceeds designated to worker wages. Yum! Brands also agreed to work with the CIW to enforce a code of conduct to monitor worker complaints and avoid abuses in the fields. CIW targeted McDonald's in 2005 with actions similar to those used against Yum Brands four years earlier. CIW was preparing for a cross-country bus tour to protest in front of the company's Oak Brook, IL, headquarters when the agreement was reached.
The Carter Center, which was founded by former President Jimmy Carter and is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering, was the setting for the announcement. Commenting on the agreement, President Carter said, "I welcome McDonald's commitment to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to improve the lives of the workers who supply their 13,000 U.S. restaurants with tomatoes."
Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange in Maitland, FL, said that there are many problems and unanswered questions regarding the agreement. One is that it casts a negative shadow on the Florida tomato industry regarding farmworker issues and concerns.
"In fact, our industry is extremely progressive in this regard," said Mr. Brown. "We meet the highest standards and criteria for worker conditions, yet we find ourselves villianized by agreements that are accusatory in tone, such as this one between CIW and McDonald's. In all of the audits conducted in our industry over the years, only a minimal number of minor infractions, such as a missing fire extinguisher, have been found. One worker had false paperwork in his possession that claimed he was older than he was, and he was immediately removed from the job. CIW's activities, however, make our industry professionals appear to be operating abusive slave camps. It is truly offensive and insulting to this wonderful industry."
Mr. Brown added that the agreement is in essence a form of extortion by a third party in that it dictates what companies must pay their employees. He said the Florida tomato industry is not rolling over and ignoring the issue. It is currently planning to confer with attorneys to determine the legality of this agreement and others that are similar in nature.
"I say to my fellow produce professionals in all categories across the country and around the world: If this can happen to the Florida tomato industry, it can -- and likely will -- also eventually happen in your industry. It is important that everyone in the produce industry learn about this issue and take a stand on the side of legal and fair commerce."
The coalition also began a similar campaign against Burger King Corp. recently. The Miami-based company responded in a statement that it cannot control what its suppliers pay their workers.
There is also the competitive issue to consider. The story has gained national and international attention, including on major television networks and newspapers across the United States, and in Canada and Mexico -- both of which are also major tomato producers.
Grape tomatoes from Florida are the primary product category that will be affected by the penny-per-pound agreement. McDonald's -- not tomato producers -- will be paying the assessment. What if McDonald's turns to Canadian greenhouses or Mexican field and greenhouse product? Mr. Brown said that competitors have already begun making offers to offset McDonald's assessment in the agreement.
There are also many other U.S. tomato-producing states to consider. If McDonald's turns its purchasing arm, or even a percentage of it, to California, Arizona or any other tomato-producing state, it could have a major impact on the Florida industry. If it did use other sources, would McDonald's continue to pay the penny per pound into CIW's coffers? And if so, would that money then go to farmworkers in Florida or in the states where the item is produced? And, most important at the moment, how would the lost business or any other aspect of this agreement affect the Florida tomato industry?
Mr. Brown agreed there are many questions yet to be answered, and he said that Florida tomato industry professionals intend to find the answers to every one and do what they deem necessary to protect an industry that has sustained thousands of people, farmworkers included, and fed millions around the world, for many generations.
