NO. 0920
Adopted
(OPERATIONAL BUSINESS ITEM)
RENEWING DISCIPLES SUPPORT FOR FARMWORKER MINISTRY
WHEREAS, over two million migrant and seasonal farm workers labor in the fields, orchards, vineyards and groves of America; and
WHEREAS, the average wage for migrant and seasonal farm workers in the United States is $11,000. The great majority lack health insurance and all other simple protections enjoyed by most other workers; and
WHEREAS, their labor is vital, since their work provides the food we eat daily; and
WHEREAS, migrant and seasonal farm workers face many dangers and have many needs. They often suffer poisoning from toxic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. Pregnant women have been known to give birth in the fields while working. Some workers have died from heat, exhaustion and dehydration. Small children must often accompany their parents in the field. Workers often endure insult, harassment and abuse of many kinds from labor contractors, employers and crew bosses; and
WHEREAS, Christians are instructed by scripture and the teachings of our faith to have compassion for the poor and oppressed; and
WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has a tradition of more than eighty years of support for migrant and seasonal farm workers through the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM), an organization comprised of more than thirty denominations; and
WHEREAS, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) needs to resume our ministry of justice with migrant and seasonal farm workers that was halted in 1994 due to declining budgetary resources; and
WHEREAS, the Disciples Home Missions (DHM) in recent years has provided assistance in the development of a new organization (the Disciples Farm Worker Ministry - DFWM) and has given encouragement in the effort to resume Disciples participation with the wider interdenominational community working together through the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM);
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) renew its relationship with the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM), thus renewing a Disciples commitment to work with other Christians in this ministry of justice with migrant and seasonal farm workers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) resume its support for migrant and seasonal farm workers through the new organization known as Disciples Farm Worker Ministry (DFWM), affiliated with the Disciples Home Missions (DHM); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DFWM develop a program of support and participation in the work of the NFWM; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DFWM designate a person or persons to represent the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the Board of the NFWM; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DFWM recruit and enlist persons from Disciple congregations to be participating members of DFWM; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DFWM provide information about farm workers for the purpose of educating and engaging concerned individuals and churches with the needs and activities of farm workers; and
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that the DFWM establish a budget for its work seeking funds to support the work of its ministry. All funds will be received through DHM for appropriate accountability of reporting and expending.
Compton Heights Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri
Downey Avenue Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana
BACKGROUND
There are over two million farm workers in the United States who labor in our fields and orchards, dairies and feedlots. Without them, our multi-billion dollar agricultural industry would not survive; 85 percent of our fruits and vegetables are still handpicked. Yet farm workers annual wages are only $11, 000, with some workers making much less. Workers often pick for "piece rate" still earning only 45 cents per 32 lb bucket of tomatoes, or 85 cents per 90 lb sack of oranges. The majority receive no health benefits, overtime pay, or sick leave. Thousands of workers experience pesticide related illnesses every year and suffer other unhealthy and unsanitary conditions in the fields, even dying in the fields from heat exposure. Women frequently suffer sexual harassment. Most farm workers are immigrants and many lack legal status, leaving them vulnerable to being fired or deported if they complain about abuses.
Churches have worked cooperatively with farm workers for over 80 years, first as state based ministries, providing food, clothing, daycare and worship services to workers. When Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers, began organizing in the 1960's he called on the church to move from charity to justice, to support their organizing efforts for empowerment and justice in the fields - for the means to buy their own food and clothes. In 1971, the National Farm Workers Ministry (NFWM) was founded as the vehicle for national denominations, regional religious bodies, religious orders, and concerned individuals to respond to that call. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was a founding member of NFWM.
While supporting important legislative and regulatory efforts led by farm workers, such as the right to shade and drinking water in extreme heat, the biggest improvements in farm worker working conditions have come about through labor agreements. National Farm Worker Ministry's 36 years of service with farm workers has convinced them that such agreements are the workers' best hope for real change in the fields, enabling enforcement of laws and regulations within the industry, making it possible for workers to speak up without fear of being fired.
Under the leadership of Arturo Rodriguez, Cesar Chavez's successor as President of the United Farm Workers (UFW), the UFW won contracts over the last ten years with: the nation's largest strawberry employer, Coastal Berry Company; a major rose company, Jackson and Perkins; the D'Arrigo company, employing over 1800 workers who pick lettuce, broccoli and other vegetables; the majority of California's mushroom companies; and several others. They also won contracts with Chateau St. Michelle, Washington's largest winery and have successfully renegotiated that three times. The UFW also won the largest contract for farm workers in Oregon history covering three hundred workers at the mega-dairy Threemile Canyon Farms. These agreements provide workers not only with improved pay and working conditions, such as toilets and clean drinking water in the fields, but also with a pension plan, sick and vacation days, health benefits, and perhaps most importantly, a seniority system and grievance procedure to address problems on the job.
The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) under the leadership of Baldemar Velasquez won the first union contract for farm workers in North Carolina and the first contract covering H2-A guest workers. Some 7,000 cucumber, sweet potato and tobacco pickers won protections under the landmark agreement with the North Carolina Growers Association and Mt. Olive Pickle Company in 2004; that contract was extended in 2008. Among the contract provisions the "guest workers" won a right to bereavement leave to return home for a death in the family. The contract has also helped prevent further death in North Carolina's fields where some nine workers died in recent years, some of preventable heat stroke.
In Florida, a community organization known as the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) won historic agreements with Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Burger King, when the fast food companies agreed to pay a penny more per pound for their tomatoes with the provision that it be passed on to the workers picking their tomatoes. The Coalition was also given a role in enforcing a code of conduct in the fields, particularly related to the indentured servitude that still exists in Florida and elsewhere.
Farm workers were excluded from many of the laws protecting other workers, including the National Labor Relations act, designed to provide workers protections for organizing. Thus they have only won agreements such as those above with public support. The support of the faith community in particular has been critical because of its moral voice, its large constituency, and because its presence offers the workers hope and affirmation for the risks they take.
Farm workers are the first to say that they could not have won what they have without the support of the religious community. But the sad reality is that they apply to a minority of farm workers nationwide; there is much work to be done before we can rest easy at our tables. It is imperative that people of faith continue to stand by farm workers as they carry on with hope and determination to create a better life for themselves and their families.
THE ROLE OF THE DISCIPLES
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was an active participant in this ministry from the beginning. Individuals from congregations have worked as volunteers with migrants, and our church was among the denominations which founded the National Farm Workers Ministry in 1971. The International Convention and the General Assembly have consistently endorsed and encouraged this ministry with farm workers.
In 1966, the International Convention approved Resolution No. 75 entitled Concerning Economic Justice For Agricultural Workers saying: "... scripture enjoins us to be concerned with justice for the poor, the stranger and the oppressed." Citing Amos 2:6-8 and 5:21-24, Micah 6:10-15, and James 5:1-6, Resolution No. 75 said: "that this Assembly go on record as supporting the principal of legislation to include farm workers under the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act of the United States and the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigation Act of Canada so that they may form voluntary associations and bargain collectively with their employers; and that this Assembly urges that the permanent church related migrant ministry staffs... be encouraged to solicit the cooperation of local churches and parish clergy to assume their rightful responsibility of farm laborers to achieve dignity and an adequate standard of living...."
In 1973, in Resolution No. 7343, the General Assembly meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, reaffirmed support for the right of farm workers "... to organize and join a union of their own choosing and to engage in collective bargaining with employers." and "…that regional offices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) be requested to assist in the task of helping members of churches to understand the issues involved in the right of farm workers to organize for and engage in collective bargaining with employers."
In 1975, the General Assembly meeting in San Antonio approved Resolution No. 7556 which called on "units, agencies, assemblies, and institutions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to refrain from purchasing or serving iceberg (head lettuce) or table grapes or Gallo wines unless they bear the UFW Aztec eagle label."
Resolution No. 0314 was approved by the General Assembly meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2003 calling for express endorsement of the National Farm Worker Ministry and encouraging a Disciples witness and presence in ministry with migrant and seasonal farm workers. The resolution endorsed the boycott of "all Taco Bell restaurants and products (taco shells, sauce, refried beans, etc.) sold in groceries until such time when Taco Bell brings together representatives of Taco Bell, their Florida suppliers and representatives of Immokalee workers to discuss solutions to the needs and rights of immigrant workers." This boycott was successful in getting Taco Bell to sign an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) of South Florida which was the first for a fast food company.
Most recently, the General Assembly meeting in Portland, Oregon, in 2005, approved Resolution No. 0517 that called on church members to "…support movements that address the living wage and cooperate with workers, employers, labor unions, and organizations that are working to affirm workers' dignity."
The General Board recommends that the General Assembly
ADOPT Business Item No. 0920. (Debate time: 12 minutes)