Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Strikes at fruit packing companies are about respect, activists say


hansen.JPG
hansen.JPG
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

YAKIMA -- Workers have gone on strike at Hansen fruit and at least six other fruit packing companies in Yakima County demanding safer working conditions and more pay.

As the labor movement continues to gain momentum, activists providing food and water to the striking workers said the workers have been neglected for years.

"It's about respect, and if they respected their employees they would acknowledge them and monetary acknowledgement is part of that," Oskar Zambrano, the director of community engagement with the Latino Community Fund said.

But growers are pushing back on the strikes. Management and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association told Action News the companies have been providing personal protective equipment as it became available and have followed the Health District's guidelines.

As inspectors ramp up testing at the companies, none of the companies with strikes have failed the health district's inspections. Now growers are wondering if the strikes are actually about worker safety.

"It would be inaccurate to say that the enforcement agencies have been lax or have not been doing adequate review and enforcement," Jon DeVaney, the President of WSTFA said. He continued by accusing the striking workers of hypocrisy. "I know that's been a frustration for a number of employers who've seen workers standing in large clusters outside their facilities without masks or social distancing to complain about the lack of masks or social distancing."

Zambrano said the working conditions inside many of the packing companies is not acceptable and the workers are often put in closer proximity than the six feet recommended by the Health District. But a problem he pointed to was the wages the workers have received.

"Some of them don't get increases of a dollar, they get like five cents, ten cents, twenty cents and some have been working there for ten years for some of these companies, Zambrano said. He continued, "They're not even making 15 dollars [per hour], what's the rational there?"

He added there could be more strikes as workers realize they have a voice in these difficult times.

DeVaney said as Gov. Inslee's plan to reopen the state in phases begins to take effect, growers will still be required to follow health and social distancing guidelines.


Loading ...