AMERICAN LABOUR:

TELL RETAILERS TO SUPPORT BEEF NORTHWEST WORKERS:

Here's another appeal from the United Farm Workers, connected to their campaign to unionize workers at Beef Northwest. Despite having a majority of the workers signed up the company continues with stalling tactics in its efforts to avoid workers' rights at their facility. The UFW is asking you to help pressure customers of Beef Northwest who can influence the company and persuade it to stop its bully tactics.

............................

Tell Retailers to Quit Ganging Up on Beef Northwest Workers :
At Beef Northwest, even though the majority of workers have already voiced their support for a union, democracy takes a back seat. Despite casting their votes to form a union, employees continue to be denied a voice in the workplace.

Companies like Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville are trying to make sure these workers are silenced. These retailers are saying Beef Northwest gets to call the shots on their workers’ election. These companies--all non-union companies themselves--believe Beef Northwest workers' only opportunity to form a union should come through a management-dominated union election process.

Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville appear all too willing to hide behind the belief that a worker’s vote will be confidential. They want us to ignore the past consultants who've been hired to interrogate and intimidate workers over their support for the union. Workers are scared and fear for their jobs and livelihood. In this atmosphere, how is a free and fair election possible?

Let’s take a look at Beef Northwest’s disgraceful anti-union campaigning record:
Beef Northwest’s general manager leaves the farm to take pictures of pro-union workers at a union barbeque.

Beef Northwest’s supervisors circulate an anti-union petition while on the clock, threatening workers with job loss if they don’t sign.

Beef Northwest employee Fortunato Diaz is pulled off his normal duties and sent to do the work of four others in an effort to humiliate him, all because he supports the UFW. The company even posts Fortunato's picture in their office as a clear, intimidating warning to other workers--do not support the union.

The UFW refuses to participate in this undemocratic process. We support the majority sign-up method of organizing, as it helps level the playing field. This is a fair and democratic process where employers recognize unions if a majority of employees demonstrate their desire to form one. In June, a majority of Beef Northwest workers voted in support of the union. The outcome was verified by an outside, neutral third party.

Instead of recognizing the results of last June’s election, Beef Northwest is demanding a new one. If you don’t like the results of an election you get to call a new one? Democracy does not work that way.

Just yesterday Bon Appétit (a major food service provider at college campuses across the US) joined another socially responsible retailer, PCC Natural Markets in choosing to take a responsible stance and support the workers at Beef Northwest.

We need your help to demand that Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville abandon their support for an anti-democratic process and instead recognize that workers have spoken and a majority want the UFW to represent them. They should join retailers like PCC Natural Markets and Bon Appétit and say no to the sham election Beef Northwest is trying to force on its workers and demand that Beef Northwest negotiate with the union that the workers have already chosen.
Please send your e-mail today!

http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/retailers

..................................

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville.

...................................

The majority of Beef Northwest workers voted for the UFW to represent them on June 13. It is incomprehensible why corporations such as Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville--who claim to be "socially responsible"-- would side with an employer who has repeatedly threatened and intimidated workers. Instead you should respect the workers vote and add your voice to this issue.

Whole Foods, New Seasons and Burgerville appear all too willing to hide behind the belief that a worker's vote will be confidential. These retailers are choosing to ignore the past consultants who've been hired to interrogate and intimidate workers over their support for the union.

Workers are scared and fear for their jobs and livelihood. In this atmosphere, how is a free and fair election possible?

Look at Beef Northwest's disgraceful anti-union campaigning record:
* Beef Northwest's general manager leaves the farm to take pictures of pro-union workers at a union barbeque.
* Beef Northwest's supervisors circulate an anti-union petition while on the clock, threatening workers with job loss if they don't sign.
* Beef Northwest employee Fortunato Diaz is pulled off his normal duties and sent to do the work of four others in an effort to humiliate him, all because he supports the UFW. The company even posts Fortunato's picture in their office as a clear, intimidating warning to other workers--do not to support the union.

The UFW understandably refuses to participate in such an undemocratic process.They support the majority sign-up method of organizing, because it helps level the playing field. This is a fair and democratic union organizing process where employers recognize unions if a majority of employees demonstrate their desire to form one. At Beef Northwest, back in June, a majority of workers have voted in support of the union, and the outcome was verified by an outside, neutral third party.

It's time to become part of the solution. Take a public stand and demand that Beef Northwest negotiate with the union that its workers have already chosen.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS:

HALLOWEEN CANDY ALERT:


It seems that the melamine/milk scandal isn't quite over. The following product has been flagged by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on October 8 as being possibly contaminated by melamine:
SHERWOOD BRAND PIRATES GOLD MILK CHOCOLATE COINS




These treats have been sold across Canada at Costco stores and may also have been on the shelves at various dollar and bulk stores. If you have purchased such items prior to Halloween or if you are a parent with children who may be trick or treating be advised to discard any of this product.




Sort of sad actually. The fake gold coins were always one of Molly's favourite junk foods. Even more amazing to find out that they are made with product imported from China. You don't have to go very far to find the nearest cow around here in Winnipeg. One wonders how the Chinese product could be competitive with all the transport costs included. Maybe sweatshop wages have something to do with it.



Here are two more products that the CFIA has flagged for melamine content in the month of October:
*Mengniu Strawberry Flavour Sour Milk (Oct 15)
*OK OK Kaiser Pretzels (Oct 1)



Looks bad ? It's nothing compared to the ongoing listeriosis saga. The new Conservative government may proceed with its plans to privatize food inspection, plans that led to the present listeria contamination problem. Here's another list, this time for products flagged in the month of October-so far- for containing listeria. think about this, and the deaths that have resulted so far from listeria when you hear about how much more "efficient" industry self-regulation is.
*Dunn's Famous brand smoked meat (Oct 7)
*Plaisirs Gastronomiques brand sandwiches (Oct 20)
*Roast beef sold at certain deli counters in Ontario (Oct 21)
*SAVCOM brand sandwiches (Oct 22)
*Roast beef sold at certain deli counters in Ontario (Oct 22)
*Oickles Tasty Bite sandwiches (Oct 23)
*Deli roast beef sold at certain stores in Atlantic Canada (Oct 24)
*William Davis roast beef sandwiches (Oct 24)

Molly has a little bone to pick on this matter personally as she has a standing promise to reply to a comment on this blog made by either a manager or owner of Beef Northwest in the USA, where they claim that they are oh-so-good because they conform to the "standards", as they are, of an industry set up regulatory body down America way. But more on this later.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

BEEF NORTHWEST-THE UNITED FARM WORKERS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM ON HIGH:

The saga, oft repeated on this blog amongst many others, of the workers at Beef Northwest who wish to be represented by the United Farm Workers continues. Now the UFW has a pinch hitter in their corner, one who might be described as "heavy artillery". one wonders who the bosses at Beef Northwest will be voting for this November. Here's the story from the UFW.

..............................

Join Senator Obama in supporting the Beef Northwest workers :
Presidential candidate Barack Obama knows the truth about the situation at Beef Northwest, which has industrial feedlots in Eastern Oregon and Washington. He recognizes that a majority of workers have already voted for the union. He urged Beef Northwest to begin negotiations with the UFW, which is the representative the workers voted for.

In a letter sent to Beef Northwest owner John Wilson, Senator Obama wrote, "I encourage you to recognize the card check election of June 13, and to negotiate with your employees' chosen bargaining agent, the United Farm Workers." (Click here to read Senator Obama's letter.)

For more than a year, workers employed at this industrial feedlot have been demanding that their desire to have the UFW represent them be recognized by Beef Northwest. Instead, the company has resorted to anti-union tactics of threats, intimidation and retaliation against workers who support the union. The company is also being sued by three women who maintain that Beef Northwest discriminates against women of color in its hiring practices.

Equally disturbing, Whole Foods, the company that prides itself on being "socially responsible", is one of the largest sellers of Country Natural Beef, whose cows are fattened at Beef Northwest's feedlots. Workers met with Whole Foods executives in Austin TX to personally explain their situation. Yet, Whole Foods chose to ignore the workers. Instead it choose to believe the company consultants' "facts".
Are these the actions of a socially responsible company?
Please join Senator Obama in adding your voice to the workers' struggle. Demand that Whole Foods recognize that a majority of workers want a union. It’s time for Whole Foods to join Senator Obama and thousands of others in adding their influence to help these workers, instead of fighting workers who simply want a better life.

http://www.ufwaction.org/ct/M7zuCuF1TqYY/takeaction
Tell-A-Friend:

Please encourage everyone you know to sign the petition .
* If you want more background information on the Beef Northwest campaign go to: www.ufw.org/bnw

.......................

THE PETITION:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following petition to Edmund La Maccia, Vice President of Whole Foods.

To:
Whole Foods Vice President Edmund La Macchia
I strongly support Senator Barack Obama's call for Beef Northwest to recognize that a majority of workers have already voted for the United Farm Workers to be their union. It is incomprehensible why Whole Foods would not add its voice to this issue, instead siding with an employer who has repeatedly threatened and intimidated workers. Senator Obama has called for Beef Northwest to negotiate with the UFW. Whole Foods should live up to their claims of social responsibility.
Sincerely:

AMERICAN LABOUR:

COUNTRY NATURAL BEEF/BEEF NORTHWEST ONCE MORE:

The following appeal is from the United Farm Workers, and it once more asks you for online solidarity with the workers at Country Natural Beef .

...............................

This isn't Democracy:
Country Natural Beef (CNB), the company who fattens its cows at Beef Northwest's feedlot, is about to try to turn back its employees' successful campaign to join a union.

Rather than accepting the results of a free and fair process in June, which clearly showed that a majority of workers want the UFW to represent them, it appears that the company is now looking to ratchet up the anti-union pressure on its workers.

Stand up for worker rights – demand CNB call off its anti-union attacks!

Several prominent community leaders and politicians have rightly refused to take part in the scam. Just look at the company's anti-union campaign over the past 15 months:
*Intimidation. Workers have been coerced into signing anti-union petitions, and pictures of pro-union workers have been posted in the company office.
*Harassment. Pro-union workers have been singled out for retaliation from management.
*Anti-Union attacks. Most recently, a consultant was brought in to interrogate workers about their support for the union, encouraging them to vote against unionizing.

This is hardly a democratic process. In fact, sounds much more like a one party election in a Soviet block country.

Workers shouldn’t have to feel intimidated and fearful of their jobs just because they want to be treated fairly.

Please tell CNB that you won't tolerate these blatant efforts to continue to intimidate workers. It's time for Beef Northwest to negotiate with the union.

............................

THE LETTER:

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter.

......................

I demand you immediately stop your anti-union campaign. Interrogating workers is outrageous. Remaining silent in the face of discrimination against women of color is immoral. Playing along with Beef Northwest's anti-union campaign, and refusing to recognize the workers who fatten your cows before being slaughtered, is just plain wrong.

We know that several community leaders and prominent politicians have refused to legitimize your desperate attempt to force a one party election on Beef Northwest workers. As consumers, we're not going to play along either.

It's time for Country Natural Beef to become part of the solution. Take a public stand and demand that Beef Northwest negotiate with the union that its workers have already chosen and denounce the on-going discrimination against women of color.

..............................

UPDATE:

According to the following email from the UFW Country Natural Beef is blocking protest emails, but you can still send private emails, as suggested below. Simply copy and paste the letter above.

............................
If CNB won't listen to you, imagine what it's like for the workers who fatten their cows!!‏:
It appears that Country Natural Beef (CNB) is blocking your emails, by blocking the ISP of the UFW lis' server. This blockage is happening despite of what CNB say on their website--inviting you, the consumer to contact them if you have any questions or concerns about their product. Unfortunately it looks like they put up a firewall to make sure your comments don't get through.

If Country Natural Beef is willing to put up a firewall to attempt to block comments from consumers, imagine what it's like for the workers who fatten their cows.

Your e-mails are continuing to go through to Whole Foods, who buys the lion's share of Country Natural Beef products. Given Country Natural Beef's refusal to listen to its consumers, we need to continue to strengthen our call on Whole Foods to use its influence to do right by the workers who fatten CNB cows.

Also, your personal e-mail address should not be blocked so you can still e-mail CNB directly at Answers@countrynaturalbeef.com .You can cut and paste the message above.

And stay tuned for more actions next week!!

Jocelyn Sherman

UFW Internet Communications

AMERICAN LABOUR:

WEEKEND OF ACTION TO PRESSURE 'WHOLE FOODS':

This weekend will be one of protests at 'Whole Foods' outlets throughout the USA. For two years now the United Farm Workers have been organizing at Beef Northwest, but management of that company refuses to respect their workers' rights and has been intransigent. Whole Foods is the largest retailer of 'Country Natural Beef' who finish their cows at Beef Northwest. The pickets are to put pressure on Whole Foods to demand that their supplier act responsibly.

...................................

Please join in the weekend of action to call on Whole Foods to live up to its claim of social responsibility:


Members and supporters of the United Farm Workers, International Brotherhood of the Teamsters, National Farm Workers Ministry, Organic Consumers Association will leaflet at Whole Foods stores across the country on the weekend of Oct. 4.

The four organizations are standing in support of workers employed at the Beef Northwest feedlots where Country Natural Beef finishes its cows. Whole Foods is the largest retailer of Country Natural Beef.

Whole Foods prides itself in saying that social responsibility is a cornerstone of its belief system and it expects the same from its vendors. However, despite numerous appeals by Beef Northwest workers, Whole Foods dismisses the fact that Beef Northwest doesn’t treat its workers with dignity and respect which are central components in the ideology behind social responsibility.

“Whole Foods has the opportunity to act on the side of social responsibility, but it chooses not to,” said Arturo Rodriguez, UFW President. “It would appear that Whole Foods only cares about certain classes of society.”

Workers at Beef Northwest approached the UFW in the fall of 2006 seeking union representation. During that time, the UFW has supported the workers while the company has refused to come to the table to negotiate, and has threatened and intimidated workers. There are currently two lawsuits pending against Beef Northwest including one for failure to pay overtime.

Supporters will be leafleting in front of dozens of stores across the country (see below).
If you do not live by one of these locations, you can still help by printing out the leaflet and bringing it to your local Whole Foods manager and urge them to tell corporate headquarters it's time to get involved.

***Please click here to let us know you are participating in our weekend of action. It's important for us to get an idea of how many people are participating this weekend.

Also if you have not sent Whole Foods Corporate headquarters an e-mail in September, please click here and let them know enough is enough, you expect them to take a stand to help the Beef Northwest workers resolve this situation.
Locations and times:
California - Northern
Whole Foods Market-Oakland

230 Bay Place

Oakland, CA 94612

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-South of Market

399-4th Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM

Whole Foods Market-San Francisco

1765 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94109

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-Palo Alto

Corner of Emerson and Homer

Palo Alto, CA

Friday, 1:00 p.m.
Whole Foods Makket- San Mateo

1010 Park Place,

San Mateo, CA 94403

Saturday 10:00am – 12 noon
California - Southern
Whole Foods Market - Fairfax

Fairfax: 6350 West 3rd St.,

Los Angeles, CA, 90036

Friday Oct 3rd, 11-1pm

Whole Foods Market - Westwood

1050 Gayley Ave.

Los Angeles, CA, 90024

Friday Oct 3rd, 12-2pm

Whole Foods Market-Laguna Beach

283 Broadway St.

Laguna Beach, 92651

Saturday, Oct 4, 1-3 pm
Whole Foods Market-Tustin

Jamboree

2847 Park Avenue

Tustin, CA 92782

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-Santa Clarita

Valencia

24130 Valencia Blvd

Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM
Colorado
Whole Foods Market -Boulder

2584 Baseline Rd.

Boulder, CO 80305

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-Tamarac

3515 S. TamaracDenver, CO 80237

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-Cherry Creek

2375 East 1st Street

Denver, CO 80206

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods Market-Denver

7400 E. Hampden Ave, Unit D

Denver, CO 80231

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM
Kansas
Whole Foods Market-Metcalf

7401 West 91st Street

Overland Park, KS 66212

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
New Mexico
Whole Foods Market-Albuquerque

5815 Wyoming Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87109

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM
Texas
Whole Foods Market-Preston

11700 Preston Road

Dallas, TX 75230

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods-Greenville

2218 Lower Greenville Ave

Dallas, TX 75206

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM
Whole Foods San Antonio,

TX Quarry Mall, 255 E Basse Rd

San Antonio, TX 78209

Saturday, 10am to 1pm
Washington
Whole Foods Market-Redmond

17999 NE Redmond Way

Redmond, WA 98052

Saturday, October 4, noon to 3 PM

Sunday October 5, noon to 3 PM

AMERICAN LABOUR:

HELP FORTUNADO DIAZ- UNITED FARM WORKERS:

As reported several months ago here at Molly's Blog the United Farm Workers has been campaigning for some time to pressure purchasers of Beef Northwest to demand that said comp-any recognize its workers' demand for union representation. The company has retaliated by victimizing union activists such as Fortunado Diaz. See the story below for details and how you can help these workers.

................................

Increased retaliation against Beef Northwest worker for turning in your petition to Whole Foods:
Please help!
Back in April more than 13,000 UFW supporters signed a petition asking Whole Foods to help the Beef Northwest feedlot workers. Beef Northwest worker Fortunato Diaz went to Austin, Texas to lead a delegation which turned the petitions into the Whole Foods representative. Whole Foods said they were moved by Fortunado’s story. They said they would contact Beef Northwest and urge that the company to meet with the UFW to resolve the issue of union representation.

Instead Whole Foods has done nothing to help the workers and is trying to distance themselves from the situation. Even worse, Fortunato is being made an example of by Beef Northwest for asking for Whole Foods’ help.

On Tuesday, when weather.com put the high at 99 degrees, Fortunato told us how Beef Northwest supervisors sent him walking to remote areas of the ranch around a mile away from all the other workers and did not even provide him with drinking water in the searing heat! Not only is this retaliatory action morally wrong, but by failing to provide him with drinking water in the searing heat Fortunato’s life was put at risk.

Fortunato tells us, “They have me doing the worst jobs that others don’t want to do. I feel that all they wish is to humiliate me, and hurt my dignity so I will quit Beef Northwest. It’s revenge because I fight for my rights...I’ve always been the one who speaks out about the problems of harassment and intimidation that Beef Northwest targets against us workers. My fellow workers are always scared of reprisals...Now the workers see what they are doing to me and I think this has an effect.”

Whole Foods sells approximately 60% of all Country Natural Beef produced at Beef Northwest.

Tell Whole Foods that their lack of response is not acceptable. They should display some corporate responsibility. Send Whole Foods an e-mail today and ask them to tell Beef Northwest to stop its retaliation against Fortunato and to respect the June 13 card check and to begin negotiating immediately.

.............................

Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter:

THE LETTER:

Back in April Beef Northwest worker Fortunato Diaz went to Austin, Texas to lead a delegation which turned in a petition with more than 13,000 signatures asking Whole Foods to help the Beef Northwest feedlot workers. Whole Foods said they were moved by Fortunado's story. They said they would contact Beef Northwest and urge that the company to meet with the UFW to resolve the issue of union representation.

Whole Foods said a lot of pretty words. Instead you are just trying to distance your company from the situation and have done nothing to help the workers.

Now, Fortunato is being made an example of by Beef Northwest for asking for Whole Foods' help.

Last week when weather.com put the high at 99 degrees, Beef Northwest supervisors sent Fortunado walking to remote areas of the ranch around a mile away from all the other workers and did not even provide him with drinking water in the searing heat! I am outraged to learn of the actions that the feedlot that fattens Country Natural Beef cows has taken against Fortunato Diaz. Not only is this retaliatory action morally wrong, but by failing to provide him with drinking water in the searing heat Fortunato's life was put at risk.

In describing the situation he is enduring Fortunato said, "They have me doing the worst jobs that others don't want to do. I feel that all they wish is to humiliate me, and hurt my dignity so I will quit Beef Northwest. It's revenge because I fight for my rights...I've always been the one who speaks out about the problems of harassment and intimidation that Beef Northwest targets against us workers. My fellow workers are always scared of reprisals?Now the workers see what they are doing to me and I think this has an effect."

Whole Foods sells approximately 60% of all Country Natural Beef produced at the Beef Northwest Feedlots. It's time to stop the retaliation and stalling and bring justice to the workers employed at Beef Northwest. I call on you to use your influence to end the inhumane actions against Fortunato immediately and to call on Beef Northwest to end this dispute. It's time for Beef Northwest to respect the card check & negotiate a contract.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

MORE ON THE BEEF NORTHWEST CAMPAIGN BY THE UNITED FARM WORKERS:

Molly has reported several times on the campaign by the United Farm Workers of the USA and their efforts to organize the workers at Beef Northwest in Oregon. This is their latest appeal in the course of this campaign.

............................

Most BNW workers have signed up for a union.
Why won't the company negotiate?
Please read the overview below and the worker's story regarding the year-long campaign for Beef Northwest workers to get a UFW contract and then take action and send a letter to Beef Northwest today.

For nearly two years, Ramiro Salinas Jr. has worked at Beef Northwest's feedlot in Nyssa. He left a good-paying job in Salem to be closer to his three children and his father. He thought he would be able to spend more time with his children, but he soon discovered he was wrong.

Ramiro works 12 to 14 hour days, six days a week. That leaves little time for him to be with his children. He understands the reality he faces. With few full-time, year-round jobs available in eastern Oregon, Beef Northwest has the upper hand. If workers complain, they can be fired and quickly replaced by others who are more than willing to take a job no matter what treatment they must endure.

Tired of mistreatment, the long hours and a lack of respect, Ramiro and a number of his co-workers approached United Farm Workers. They wanted to be represented by the union and were ready to do whatever was necessary to achieve that representation.

That was more than a year ago. In that time, pro-union employees of Beef Northwest have been the target of harassment and threats. Although the company recognizes six holidays per year, it requires feedlot employees to work on those days anyway. That means workers don't get to spend Christmas or Thanksgiving together as other families do. As worker Hermenegildo Ortiz said, "The animals must eat every day, and we cannot give ourselves the luxury of missing a day."

Much has been said about whether the workers truly favor union representation. But on June 13, a card check was conducted at the feedlot by the Portland Workers' Rights Board. It found that the majority of workers do indeed want union representation. The card check was examined and counted personally by the Rev. Susan Leo of Portland's Bridgeport United Church of Christ on behalf of the Workers' Rights Board and Portland Jobs with Justice.

Based on the findings of this third party, why haven't negotiations been initiated between the workers and their employer, Beef Northwest? These workers are asking only for the opportunity of living a better life, something they believe they can achieve only through union representation.

Shouldn't they be afforded that chance?

Please send a letter to Beef Northwest today and tell them enough is enough. Stop the threats and pressure campaign. Give your workers the union contract they have fought for.

If you agree with what you have read so far please go to THIS LINK to read more and send the following letter to the management of Beef Northwest.

The Letter:

For more than a year the majority of your workers have been asking to be represented by the UFW. Instead of listening to their pleas you have started a pressure campaign threatening worker leaders and doing everything you could to scare workers away from wanting a union contract.

Despite this illegal and moral pressure you have not succeeded. On June 13, a card check was conducted at the feedlot by the Portland Workers' Rights Board. It found that the majority of workers do indeed want union representation. The card check was examined and counted personally by the Rev. Susan Leo of Portland's Bridgeport United Church of Christ on behalf of the Workers' Rights Board and Portland Jobs with Justice.

Based on the findings of this third party, why haven't negotiations been initiated?

AMERICAN LABOUR:

UNITED FARM WORKERS CALL FOR PRESSURE ON TYSON FOODS:

The continued dispute that pits the United Farm Workers against Beef Northwest over the right of workers to have an union has seen the UFW putting pressure on customers of Beef Northwest to cease dealing with the company until they begin to bargain fairly. Tyson Foods, which prides itself on its ethics is now Beef Northwest's largest customer, and the UFW is asking people to pressure them to speak about about the following case of discrimination.

..............................................

Tell Tyson Foods that Discrimination is not "Responsible"
Three Latinas filed suit against Beef Northwest late last week for sex and racial discrimination. Why? Because Beef Northwest's Boardman, Oregon operation hires very few women and the few that they’ve hired are all white.

Since Country Natural Beef, which we’ve written to you about previously, has decided to take its business elsewhere, Tyson Foods is the biggest user of Beef Northwest's feedlot.

Tyson Foods brags in their "Sustainability Report" that they: "[S]eek to enter into relationships with suppliers who share similar values." In their Code of Conduct, they state: "We strive to honor God and be respectful of each other, our customers, and other stakeholders." Yet Tyson remains silent on Beef Northwest's allegedly discriminatory hiring practices.

Please tell Tyson to break their silence. They need to demand that Beef Northwest do the right thing by all women, including women of color. Tell them the best way to assure workers’ rights are protected, is for workers to have a union contract.

Please go to THIS LINK if you wish to read more and send the following letter to Tyson Foods.

I am writing to ask that you take action regarding the situation at Beef Northwest, a company in Oregon and Washington who supplies your company with cows. Three women recently filed a lawsuit against Beef Northwest alleging sex and racial discrimination. Of the few women working at the company's Boardman facility, all are white.

To discriminate against women and people of color is unacceptable. Tyson Foods brags in their "Sustainability Report" that they: "[S]eek to enter into relationships with suppliers who share similar values." In their Code of Conduct, they state: "We strive to honor God and be respectful of each other, our customers, and other stakeholders." Yet Tyson remains silent on Beef Northwest's allegedly discriminatory hiring practices.

It's time to put your words into action. Tell Beef Northwest to do the right thing.

AMERICAN LABOUR:

CONTINUED PRESSURE ON WHOLE FOODS:

For several months now the United Farm Workers have been applying pressure on Whole Foods to put pressure on their beef supplier Beef Northwest to deal fairly with their workers, represented by the UFW. Despite a previous petition, reported here at Molly's Blog, which was signed by over 13,000 people, Whole Foods is still intransigent. here is the latest appeal from the UFW on this matter.

................................

Whole Foods Breaks Their Promise
What happened to your petition?
On April 14, a delegation of workers from Beef Northwest met with Whole Foods' Vice-President Edmund La Maccia and presented a copy of the online petition that you and more than 13,000 people signed. During the meeting, the Whole Foods representative said he was moved by the workers' stories. He said he would contact Beef Northwest and urge that they sit down with the UFW to resolve this issue. He told the workers he'd let us know how Beef Northwest responded.

His promises excited the workers. However, it appears they were only words. To date, Whole Foods is back to ignoring the UFW’s e-mails and phone calls.

Meanwhile, the Beef Northwest continues to pressure farm workers who support the UFW. Workers are afraid for their jobs and tired of company pressure. Fortunato Diaz, one of the workers who went to Austin, tells us about the increasing pressure he must endure since he went to talk to Whole Foods. He said, "The attention in my work has been more towards myself from the supervisors of this company because they are checking my work more that what they used to. Basically what they are doing is spying on me and the supervisors are just waiting for any little mistake from me so they can fire me."

Whole Foods sells approximately 60% of all Country Natural Beef produced at the Beef Northwest Feedlots. Tell Whole Foods that their lack of response is not acceptable.
Send Whole Foods an e-mail today. It's time for Whole Foods to do the right thing and not just talk.
Go to the following link to read more and send the letter that follows:
http://www.ufwaction.org/ct/CpzuCuF18PpC/take-action
Letter to Whole Foods:
Thank you for meeting with Beef Northwest workers and UFW representatives on April 14. We are grateful for you taking your time and listening to the workers stories. However, you did not honor the promises you made to us at the conclusion of the meeting including talking to Beef Northwest management about resolving the situation and remaining in contact with us to help move the issue forward. To date the workers and the UFW have heard nothing from you and you have not returned their calls and e-mails.





You have disappointed workers whose toil brings Country Natural Beef to your customers. The more than 13,000 consumers who signed the petition are very dissatisfied with the indifference on part of Whole Foods. We were led to believe that Whole Foods had integrity, which appears not to be the case.





It's time for action, not just talk. Contact Beef Northwest immediately and communicate their response to the workers.

I look forward to hearing positive feedback about Whole Foods corporate responsibility on this matter.

USA/UFW:

TELL WHOLE FOODS TO CUT THE BULL :

For some time now the United Farm Workers of America have been organizing at the Beef Northwest feedlots to improve workers' labour conditions. As part of this effort they have put pressure on the employer by releasing information concerning the use of illegal drugs in the beef marketed as "natural". In particular they have asked people to put pressure on Whole Foods, an American organic food chain-store, to stop stocking beef from this supplier. For more on the situation at Beef Northwest go to http://www.ufw.org/bnw . In response to a previous appeal Whole Foods has replied with a email claiming that their store has strict quality controls to ensure standards. Molly received one such reply in response to her letter to Whole Foods. What the email failed to mention is any actual testing procedures that may assure that this claim is true. What follows is the UFW's second appeal in which they ask members of the public to put further pressure on Whole Foods.

"Since we put out our alert on Wednesday, November 14, thousands have contacted Whole Foods to express their concern about the use of illegal drugs on cows fattened at the Beef Northwest feedlots. Whole Foods sells Country natural Beef. Country Natural Beef's cows are fattened exclusively at the Beef Northwest feedlots. In addition, the owner of Beef Northwest, John Wilson, is also a member of the Country natural Beef co-op. The FDA recently warned Beef Northwest about the use of illegal drugs on cows. In their letter the FDA calls the meat treated with these drugs "adulterated" and "unsafe".

Whole Foods responded to concerned citizens who sent them an email, by claiming that they "have controls in place to ensure that the meat sold in our stores meet our strict quality standards". Whole Foods, however, makes no mention on either their website or in their emails regarding any testing protocols in place to ensure that the meat they sell does not contain unsafe levels of these drugs.

This is not the first time that Whole Foods has overstated their position. Whole Foods used to advertise Country natural Beef (CNB) as "grass fed". In August we pointed out to Whole Foods that there is not a blade of grass to be seen at the feedlots. Country Natural Beef cows were fed grain, cooked potatoes and dark, used vegetable oil during the approximately three months they were at Beef Northwest's feedlot prior to slaughter.

By coming forth and sharing this information, beef Northwest workers are risking their jobs. Please stand up for these workers and make sure that Beef Northwest does not retaliate against them for speaking the truth. Tell Whole Foods to cut the bull. Demand that Whole Foods test all the meat it sells to ensure that it doesn't contain unsafe levels of illegal drugs. "

To join this campaign go to http://www.ufaction.org/campaign/wholefoods

or the site on the situation at Beef Northwest at http://www.ufw.org/bnw