The globalized market for agriculture lowers many commodity prices, sometimes making prices for Oregon farmers lower than production costs. Farmworkers face state and federal employment laws that are different from other workers, and compliance and enforcement are uneven. The search for solutions has become highly politicized with little constructive dialogue between farmer organizations and farmworker advocates. A stalemate exists regarding collective bargaining rights. A serious shortage of decent and affordable housing for farmworkers also persists.
Farmers resist providing housing due to costs and regulations.
John Ross, an investigative journalist working in Mexico, will speak here twice Tuesday, Nov. 14, on the topic of Chiapas. Since 1995, the Mexican government has reportedly been waging a low-intensity war against Indian communities supporting the Zapatistas in Chiapas. In early December, a newly elected president and a new Chiapas governor will take office, committed to a negotiated resolution of the issues with the Zapatistas. Ross will be providing an update on this situation at his talks Tuesday. The SOA, located a Ft.