From: nlns@igc.apc.org (New Liberation News Service)
Subject: NATIONWIDE BOYCOTT OF STEINFELD'S & NORPAC
Organization: The Ohio State University Department of Computer and Information Science
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 23:54:45 GMT

/* Written  6:19 pm  Sep 29, 1992 by nlns in cdp:nlns.news */
/* ---------- "NLNS Packet 3.2 *** 9/28/92" ---------- */
Nationwide Boycott of Steinfeld's and NORPAC Products
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN)
Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United

(NLNS)--On Sunday, September 13, some 200 farmworkers and 
farmworker supporters gathered at PCUN headquarters in Woodburn, 
OR and enthusiastically endorsed PCUN's call for a nationwide 
boycott of Steinfeld's products (pickles, saurkraut, and relishes), 
and NORPAC's frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, sold 
primarily under the "FLAV-R-PAC" and "Santiam" labels. PCUN has 
called this boycott because a major NORPAC and Steinfeld's supplier, 
Kraemer Farms, refuses to negotiate with Kraemer workers, 
represented by PCUN, about wages and working conditions.
	First to speak at the rally was Timoteo Lopez-Garcia, a leader 
of the 1991 strike at Kraemer Farms and one of the many former 
strikers whom the Kraemers refused to rehire for the 1992 season. 
"We have returned year after year to Kraemer Farms and worked 
hard, but we're paid wages which don't support our families and 
we're fired if we speak up. The boycott is the only way we will win 
the respect and better working conditions we deserve." PCUN Vice 
President Ramon Martinez invoked the spirit of Mexican 
Independence Day (September 16): "Like a nation's struggle for 
independence, the boycott may take years, but we're determined to 
win *our* independence from the explotative labor system in 
agriculture."
	On August 10th, PCUN wrote to Steinfeld's and NORPAC 
requesting that they take steps to sever ties with Kraemer Farms in 
thirty days if Kraemer Farms failed to negotiate. Both Steinfeld's 
and NORPAC declined, claiming that Kraemer Farms' labor practices 
were not their concern. "The canneries' responses tell us that they 
care only about the condition of the vegetables they buy and not 
about the condition of the people who pick those vegetables," said 
PCUN Secretary-Treasurer Larry Kleinman at the Rally. "As 
consumers, we need to exercise our economic power and send 
Steinfeld's and NORPAC the message that we believe that people are 
more important than vegetables."
	In less than four weeks, more than 250 farmworker 
supporters--some as far away as Florida, Wisconsin and New 
Jersey--have mailed postcards to Steinfeld's, NORPAC and Kraemer 
Farms, declaring they would support the boycott. Most also promised 
to work in their areas to build the grassroots movement which is 
essential to the boycott's success.
	PCUN's Steinfeld's/NORPAC Boycott was immediately endorsed 
by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, an international inter-faith 
organization, and by the National Farmworker Ministries, comprised 
of 45 religious groups. In the coming months, we expect many more 
local, regional and national organizations--labor, religious, 
environmental, political and community groups--to declare their 
support as well. We also plan to widely circulate boycott pledge 
cards and to leaflet retail stores, starting in Woodburn and in 
selected Portland, OR neighborhoods.
	PCUN has worked with Kraemer workers for three seasons, 
helping them organize themselves to seek solutions to the injustices 
which they have identified. Kraemer Farms is one of the Willamette 
Valley's largest agricultural enterprises, covering some 2,000 
acres, producing at least sisteen comodities, and operating nine 
labor camps. In June, 1992, Kraemer Farms workers formed a *five 
point plan:* 1) increased wages; 20 establishment of a grievance 
procedure; 3) firing and discipline only based on just cause; 4) 
respect for seniority; and 5) creation of a workers' council to 
participate in the administration of company-owned housing. On July 
1st, Kraemer Farms attorney, Doug Brown ignored our call for 
negotiations and summarily rejected the plan. Federal and state 
collective bargaining laws exclude farworkers, meaning that *we 
have no access to government-supervised elections, nor to sanctions 
proceedings against an employer who refuses to bargain in good 
faith or retaliates against workers for supporting or engaging in 
union activity.

To express solidarity and get further information on the boycott, 
cantact Larry Kleinman at Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste 
(PCUN), 300 Young St., Woodburn, OR 97071; (503) 982-0243. 

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