Seniors & community groups to insist on meeting with Blue Diamond Growers CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Contact: Emanuel Gale 916/923-2621 or Karen Bernal 916/812-1793

ATTENTION: Daybook/Assignment Desk


Sen. Steinberg, Councilman Cohn ignored
by Blue Diamond Growers; Seniors & community
groups to ‘insist’ on meeting with CEO on Thursday

SACRAMENTO – After State Sen. Darrell Steinberg and City Councilman Steve Cohn were refused a meeting with Blue Diamond Growers, a contingent of Seniors and other community groups will insist Thursday on a meeting – or else – because of ongoing reports of how workers are treated at the plant.

A major news conference is scheduled THURSDAY at 9:45 a.m. at the MAIN GATE of Blue Diamond (17th & C Streets).

Following the news briefing, the delegation of Seniors and other community groups will attempt to enter the property to meet with Blue Diamond CEO Doug Youngdahl.

Youngdahl and Blue Diamond Growers have ignored for months a request by Steinberg, Cohn and community leaders to meet no later than Dec. 28, 2007 to discuss “fair and free” elections at the plant. In February, Youngdahl refused formally to meet, noting in a letter to Steinberg “(it) would not be appropriate.”

Community leaders are concerned about the treatment of workers after hearing testimony at a Town Forum that employees have been harshly treated, sometimes in an illegal manner, during the three years they’ve been organizing to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

Among the organizations represented include Gray Panthers, National Organization of Women (NOW), California Alliance of Retired Americans, Older Women’s League and Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA).

The Thursday action will be the first of many at Blue Diamond in the next few months, organized by residents of Sacramento who are working for “free and fair” elections at the plant for all workers.

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