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Four Years Struggle, Three Years Boycott, Sakuma Finally Ready to Negotiate

by Familias Unidas Por la Justica (FUJ)
Burlington, WA - We at Familias Unidas Por la Justica (FUJ) are certainly encouraged that Sakuma Berry Farms has relented to the pressure of the ‪#‎BoycottDriscolls‬ campaign and the workers voices in the fields to finally agree to begin negotiations.
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Four Years Struggle, Three Years Boycott, Sakuma Finally Ready to Negotiate - FUJ Response to Sakuma Press Statement on MOU

Burlington, WA - We at Familias Unidas Por la Justica (FUJ) are certainly encouraged that Sakuma Berry Farms has relented to the pressure of the ‪#‎BoycottDriscolls‬ campaign and the workers voices in the fields to finally agree to begin negotiations.

We want to make three things very clear:

1. Sakuma Brothers Farms approached us at FUJ indirectly to begin the process.
2. We have agreed to meet on a date proposed by them.
3. They asked for confidentiality about this prior to our meeting with them.

While we certainly were encouraged by Sakuma approaching us initially, unfortunately, the recent press statements and actions by Sakuma, are far from encouraging.

First, FUJ did not receive the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from Sakuma directly but rather indirectly through an intermediary. FUJ received it on July 4, 2016 not on June 27th as Sakuma stated.

Second, the draft MOU proposed by Sakuma Berry Farms was slated to be mutually discussed by both parties in a meeting scheduled on July 14th at their request. This draft MOU has not been negotiated nor has it been discussed between FUJ and Sakuma.

Third, we the leadership and members of FUJ have in good faith honored the request to remain the preliminary process confidential until our mutually agreed upon meeting on July 14th. We are shocked at their decision to release this press statement. In further that it has so many inaccuracies and breach their proposed confidentiality.

“Despite Sakuma’s attempt to unilaterally impose an election process, FUJ has been and is ready to meet and negotiate a fair process for the workers to choose their union representatives without intimidation or coercion on July 14th or before if necessary”, said FUJ President Ramon Torres.

Farmworkers members of FUJ will be available to address this issue at the upcoming march on Monday July 11th at 3:30PM at the Sakuma fields on Cook Road, Burlington.

# # #

FUJ is an independent farmworker union in Burlington WA with 500 members fighting for a union contract with Sakuma Farms to ensure living wage salaries, fair treatment, respect and dignity of farmworkers.
§First Statement: Sakuma Willing to Begin Union Negotiation Process
by Familias Unidas Por la Justica (FUJ)
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Breaking News! Market pressure and the support for the International Boycott of Driscoll’s berries has moved Sakuma Brothers Farm toward Union Contract negotiations with Familias Unidas por la Justicia farmworker union. However, FUJ finds misinformation in the press release which Sakuma Bros. Farm released today.

Follow this link to read “Sakuma Bros. Farms to allow farmworkers to vote on union representation” at Skagit Valley Herald.

Stay tune – Familias Unidas por la Justicia Farmworker Union Response coming Soon!

The Boycott has Not Ended – Continue to Keep up the Pressure! Please CALL & EMAIL Danny Weeden at Sakuma Bros. Farm and Driscoll’s Berries to show your support for the workers and let them know that workers and supporters demand a clean, fair election with no lies or retaliation.

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