Say NO to Pesticides!

The Feminist Majority Foundation unites with our union brothers and sisters to demand justice for farm workers!

Nearly three weeks after Cesar E. Chavez's birthday, the United Farm Workers continue to work for the rights of farm workers. Working conditions for farm workers have been historically unsafe, unsanitary, and unacceptable until community and environmental activists stepped in to make a change. For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has allowed the use of a dangerous pesticide called methyl iodide despite concern from activists, scientists, scholars, and farm workers. In order to stop it, we need to act NOW!

Methyl Iodide is a chemical found in pesticides that is known to cause cancer, neurological damage, and late-term miscarriages. This chemical is dangerous to those that work with it and to those that live in neighboring communities. The California Scientific Review Committee, CREDO Action, and the United Farm Workers are among a few of the different forces coming together to stop the use of this dangerous pesticide. In 2007, more than 50 scientists and scholars sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency warning of this hazardous chemical. For years, the $2 billion industry has ignored what scientists have called, "one of the most toxic chemicals on earth." Due to the hard work of activists and a public outcry for an alternative to methyl iodide, the EPA announced that they will reconsider their choice of using the pesticide.

These businesses are affecting our bodies, our health, our environment. Farm workers deserve to work in safe environments and their health should not be a cost of work. Help the United Farm Workers reach their goal of 200,000 signatures by signing their petition.

Picture courtesy of reallynatural.com

A Serious Wake-up Call: Child Farm Workers in the U.S.

After reading Patrice's blog post (below) on U.S. agricultural systems and making healthy, socially conscious decisions about food, I thought I'd add to the discussion with this post.

Several weeks ago I was astonished and horrified to learn that there are 400,000 - 500,000 child farm laborers, age 5 - 16, working in U.S. fields, picking the very food we eat. Nearly 2/3 of these children drop out of school permanently. These children lack federal labor protections that all other children in the U.S. enjoy and often fear that they, or their families will be deported.

I was previously aware and very concerned about the terrible working and living conditions migrant farm workers in the U.S. endure, but had no idea that children, too, were often working alongside their parents. This is a major wake up call that child labor (along with sweatshop labor, sex slavery, and more), happens at home, not just in "third-world" countries.

Shine Global has investigated this issue and produced a film called "The Harvest". The film features stories from actual child farm workers. I haven't been able to see it yet, but have been told by another FMF colleague that it is very powerful and gives you a real awakening. I encourage you to check out the site and look for screenings near you.

So, indeed, there are many, many reasons to buy local, know where your food comes from and appreciate each and every bite!

California's Occupational Health and Safety Agency Sued

California's recent budget cuts have certainly been making the headlines from cutting funding on education and employment, to the shocking 100% cut of funding for domestic violence programs. However, it seems that California should be investing in employment, as United Farm Workers (co-founded by Dolores Huerta and Cezar Chevez) has recently sued California's occupational health and safety agency for employee health negligence with heat related illnesses.

UFW has suggested that California's laws regarding worker health in 2005 were too minimalistic. These laws required that employers provide water and rest time for farm workers, particularly those who work in temperatures upwards of 100 degrees. UFW argues that at least 11 farm workers have died in California since 2005 due to heat illness, and many more have been hospitalized. Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the Department of Industrial Relations, claims that "We have done more enforcement this year than we have over all in past years" (NYT article).

It has been said that more is being done to help workers, although many are hesitant to take water breaks as they are un-paid during this time. The legal status of many of the workers might also prevent workers from standing up to their bosses for fear of being fired, or deported. For more information on this topic, visit the United Farm Workers website.

Photo courtesy of rippo on flickr

Pregnant Women Exposed to Pesticide Drift

Insecticides such as Assail 70 WP and Fujimite 5EC have been shown to cause miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe birth defects. So what they are doing in the bodies of two pregnant women?

Workers at an organic farm in Tehachapi, including Julia Rojads Sabino and another pregnant woman, were exposed to these pesticides when a neighboring farmer sprayed his orchard while they were in the field harvesting onions. The workers experienced effects of the chemicals almost immediately. When the effects worsened, their supervisor was forced to seek medical assistance.

Despite the fact that pesticides drift when they are sprayed, the law does not require any buffer zones or communication between neighboring farms when a spraying is scheduled. Pesticide drift can continue to spread over large areas for hours, days, and even weeks.

Take Action at the United Farm Workers website and ask officials to strengthen laws on pesticide use.

80, And Still Very FIERCE!

New America Media recently interviewed United Farm Workers (UFW) co-founder and an absolute favorite in the Fem Majority family, Dolores Huerta during the AARP Diversity Conference in Chicago where she was honored. Don't let the age fool ya! Now that she's approaching the miraculous age of 80, she continues her work through the Dolores Huerta Foundation by addressing immigration reform, developing community leadership through grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy for women's and worker's rights.

During her interview, she focused very heavily on our society's devaluation of the elderly. She states, “I think the elderly have a lot to contribute to society, and the way to do it is to have seniors incorporated into the community” rather than promoting programs that “shut them off in a corner.” Her emphasis on the the support of elders and the rapid aging of the "baby boomers", especially in communities of color where the care for seniors are primarily taken up by members of the family, will have a great impact on communities' health as time goes on.

Her passion for serving the underprivileged and the often ignored is everso vigilant today as it was during the early '60s. A true pioneer in the labor and migrant workers movement, and still very VERY FIERCE! Sí, ELLA PUEDE!

Photo Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/whytuesday/2247484404/

United Farm Workers Remember Maria Isabel, Join the Campaign!

On May 14, 2008, 17-year-old Maria Isabel collapsed of heatstroke while working in a vineyard for Merced Farm Labor, owned by West Coast Grape Farming.  Maria had worked for nine hours in 100+ degree temperatures with no nearby water or shade.

About two hours after she passed out, Maria was taken to a clinic--arriving with a temperature of 108.4 degrees.  Over the next two days, Maria's heart stopped six times.  The doctors said if emergency help had been called sooner, she might have survived.  Sadly, Maria passed away on May 16, 2008.

At Maria's funeral, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger offered hope to farm workers when he said, "Maria's death should have been prevented, and all Californians must do everything in their power to ensure no other worker suffers the same fate. We have put in place employer regulations to prevent heat illness, and I cannot say strongly enough that they must be followed...There is no excuse for failing to protect worker safety."  

Unfortunately, such calls to action are much easier said than done.  Five other California farm workers have died of heat-related illnesses since Maria's death.

Fighting for the memory of Maria and the rights of all farm workers, the United Farm Workers are urging all Californian's to support SB789, the California Employee Free Choice Act for Farm Workers, that will make it easier for workers to organize and help enforce existing laws.

To take action, go to: http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/mariavigil?rk=v7aQHEnqm5uQW.

To read more about Maria, go to: http://www.ufw.org/_board.php?mode=view&b_code=hotissue&b_no=4304.