The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1947-11-27
Grapes OF Wrath
Strikers Picket
On 2O-miIe Front

Bakersfield, Calf. NPA)-Con-
gresswoman Helen Gahagan Doug
las 3D., Calif.) leader of the fight
in Congress to protect the rights
of migrant farm workers, visited
the picket lines of the 1000 strik-
ing members Of the Natl Farm La
Dor Union-AFL here last week, to
express her support of their fight
for union recognition and living
wage.
The month-old strike at the 22,-
600 acre Di Giorgio farm has par
alyzed grape-picking and winery
operations at the ranch, but so far
has resulted in no move to meet
, with the union by representatives
of the vast Earl Fruit Corp, which
has holdings valued at more than
SIC, 100000.
Mrs. Douglas came from Los An
geles with former Rep. Andrew
Biemiller, now representative OF
Americans for Democratic Action,
and press and radio reporters, to
talk with union officials, pickets
and management. They also had a
look at. the living quarters, social
conditions and wage levels under
lying the AFL unions strike.
Farm workers cannot live on
$50 a week." the former-movie-
star-turned-politician asserted.
With the Associated Farmers,
anti-labor and strike-breaking COM
binations of big growers setting the
pitch on Di Giorgio's anti-labor
stand, government and private con-
ciliators have been rebuffed in ef
forts to bring the two disputants
together A virtual news blackout
imposed by hostile local newspap-
ers has led the union to appeal to
Congressional, political, and civic
leaders to visit the area and OBJ
serve conditions for themselves.
The most recent in a long series
of bitter agricultural disputes which
have. taken place in California's
rich food-growing valleys, the Di
Giorgio strike has focused keen
liberal and labor attention on the
possibility of break thru against
the Associated Farmers, and the
unionization of the states 100000
farm and migratory workers.
Strong state AFL backing, and
prompt AFL Central Labor Coun-
Gil support from the Industrial
cities of California has aided the
fight against Di Giorgio by the
NFLU and the Teamsters. At stake
is the almost-certain control of the
states political as well as eco
nomic future, since the agricul-
tural belt dominates the state legis-
lature and dictates much of the
economic development of the in
land area.
Precipitated on Oct. by a sum-
mary Di Giorgio's three-day layoff
VI LIlc cIlClIC lLOO pei iiidiiCuc Woih
ers on the ranch, the two AF'L
unions responded with unanimous
strike vote. Since that day, 24-hour
picket lines have patrolled the vast
1917 mile long front, forcing al
most complete shutdown of the
winery, the packing shed and pick
ing operations, save for supervis-
ory employees, their wives, hand
full of scabs and until last week
130 Mexican nationals. Congress
woman Douglas announced her in
tention of urging an investigation
of the whole use of nationals and
imported labor when American
workers are unemployed and avail
abel for field work.
With eviction proceedings against
strikers living on ranch property,
the union plans to argue the evic-
tions in court, insisting that the
strikers are Di Giorgio employees
who have not left their jobs, but I!
are on strike.