Agricultural Labor & Agricultural Labor & Immigration IssuesImmigration Issues

California’s First LaborersCalifornia’s First Laborers

64,500 Native California Indians64,500 Native California Indians Spanish Colonists – 21 California Spanish Colonists – 21 California

MissionsMissions

from San Diego to Sonomafrom San Diego to SonomaNatives died from diseaseNatives died from disease

The effects of slavery and prejudice.The effects of slavery and prejudice. 1883-23,000 Indians 1883-23,000 Indians

remainingremaining

The ChineseThe Chinese

California Gold Rush-Foreign Miner’s TaxCalifornia Gold Rush-Foreign Miner’s Tax Independent miners, entrepreneurs, Independent miners, entrepreneurs,

professionals, and artisansprofessionals, and artisans Transcontinental Railroad-Sierra NevadaTranscontinental Railroad-Sierra Nevada The Delta water systemThe Delta water system Establishment of orchard cropsEstablishment of orchard crops Tongs-an attempt at organized Tongs-an attempt at organized labor labor 1883-Chinese immigration 1883-Chinese immigration haltedhalted

The JapaneseThe Japanese

Issei and Nisei-hard workersIssei and Nisei-hard workers Strawberries-leased land, Strawberries-leased land,

wanted to own landwanted to own land California’s Alien Land Law California’s Alien Land Law

of 1913, 3 yr. limit on of 1913, 3 yr. limit on leasing then no leasing leasing then no leasing

Immigration stopped in Immigration stopped in 19241924

Pearl Harbor-camps and Pearl Harbor-camps and deportationdeportation

1944-camps closed-allowed 1944-camps closed-allowed to go back to Japan but to go back to Japan but 57,000 stayed57,000 stayed

Local stories….Local stories….

Mexican LaborMexican Labor

World War I-workers World War I-workers from India & Pakistanfrom India & Pakistan

Prior to WWI, Mexican Prior to WWI, Mexican workers joined the labor workers joined the labor force but were stopped force but were stopped by Civil War in Mexicoby Civil War in Mexico

1917-11917-1stst Bracero Bracero program-many program-many problems so halted in problems so halted in 1921 but Mexicans 1921 but Mexicans continued to cross the continued to cross the borderborder

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression

Mexicans sent homeMexicans sent home 285,000 “Okies” and 285,000 “Okies” and

“Arkies” escape the “Arkies” escape the Dust Bowl hoping to Dust Bowl hoping to establish family farmsestablish family farms

““Grapes of Wrath” by Grapes of Wrath” by John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck

World War II-workers World War II-workers to army and industryto army and industry

Bracero agreementsBracero agreements

How Did California Agriculture Labor How Did California Agriculture Labor Become Different From The Rest of the Become Different From The Rest of the

United States?United States?

Wheat fields were replaced by Wheat fields were replaced by orchards, vineyards, orchards, vineyards, vegetable production all require hand harvest.vegetable production all require hand harvest.

Farm labor workforce-relatively unskilled, seasonal Farm labor workforce-relatively unskilled, seasonal laborers willing to work for low wages in short, laborers willing to work for low wages in short, intermittent bursts, follow the harvest. intermittent bursts, follow the harvest.

Proximity to Mexico for seasonal labor needsProximity to Mexico for seasonal labor needs Landowners increase their use of immigrant workers Landowners increase their use of immigrant workers

as irrigation was perfected –turbine pump in the as irrigation was perfected –turbine pump in the 1920’s1920’s

Laborers were transient and totally dependent on Laborers were transient and totally dependent on available work leading to chronic povertyavailable work leading to chronic poverty

Today’s Farm WorkerToday’s Farm Worker

Economic Significance of Farm Economic Significance of Farm WorkersWorkers

United States: 749,000 workersUnited States: 749,000 workers Average wage of Average wage of

$8.73/hour$8.73/hour Work an average of 36.8 Work an average of 36.8 hours per weekhours per week California: 128,000 workersCalifornia: 128,000 workers

Average wage $9.95/hr.Average wage $9.95/hr. Work an average of 39.9 hours Work an average of 39.9 hours

per weekper week San Joaquin Region: 50,900 workersSan Joaquin Region: 50,900 workers

Farm Labor vs. Non-Farm Farm Labor vs. Non-Farm LaborLabor

Industry Industry earnings: earnings: $9.27 in $9.27 in textile mills to textile mills to $20.44 in $20.44 in primary metal primary metal manufacturinmanufacturingg

The IssuesThe IssuesWagesWages

EmployersEmployersFarm labor is extremely Farm labor is extremely

important!important! Labor intensive, strenuous Labor intensive, strenuous

work raises labor costs and work raises labor costs and makes it difficult to find makes it difficult to find workersworkers

Cost of labor is 20% to Cost of labor is 20% to 40% of production costs 40% of production costs

Farm LaborersFarm Laborers $8 to $10 an hour$8 to $10 an hour versus $14 to $15 per hour versus $14 to $15 per hour

in industryin industryStrenuous work in all types Strenuous work in all types of weatherof weather

Chronic labor shortageChronic labor shortage Can’t be hired from the Can’t be hired from the

unemployment lines…. unemployment lines…. Many people refuse to work Many people refuse to work in ag labor.in ag labor.

Only 12% speak English, Only 12% speak English, 85% have not finished high 85% have not finished high schoolschool

Piece Rate VersusPiece Rate VersusHourly RateHourly Rate

FarmersFarmers 1/3 of agriculture 1/3 of agriculture

workers receive piece workers receive piece rate payrate pay Examples?Examples?

Advantage to employer- Advantage to employer- faster workers make faster workers make more moneymore money

Minimum standards are Minimum standards are set and enforcedset and enforced

May result in lower May result in lower quality workquality work

WorkersWorkers Experienced workers Experienced workers

make more moneymake more money Can lead to more Can lead to more

injuries as workers injuries as workers increase their pace.increase their pace. Ladder injuriesLadder injuries

Immigration IssuesImmigration Issues

U.S. GovernmentU.S. Government Bracero Program-1942 to Bracero Program-1942 to

1964-fairly successful 1964-fairly successful immigration program. immigration program.

Immigration Reform and Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986-onus on Control Act of 1986-onus on employers-noncompliance employers-noncompliance equals fines and jail timeequals fines and jail time

1985-86-unauthorized 1985-86-unauthorized persons allowed to apply for persons allowed to apply for immigrant statusimmigrant status

Current issue – employers are Current issue – employers are responsible for proving their responsible for proving their employees are legal.employees are legal.

ImmigrantsImmigrants Poverty caused by fear of Poverty caused by fear of

returning to Mexico and not returning to Mexico and not being allowed back into the being allowed back into the U.S.U.S.

Reforms thought to improve Reforms thought to improve wages and benefits through a wages and benefits through a legal workforce might result in legal workforce might result in legal workers moving to legal workers moving to industry and an increase in industry and an increase in illegal immigration illegal immigration

Illegal workers now make up Illegal workers now make up 50% of the immigrant 50% of the immigrant workforceworkforce

AgricultureAgriculture ConstructionConstruction HospitalityHospitality

Farm Labor ContractorsFarm Labor Contractors

FarmersFarmers Don’t have to deal directly Don’t have to deal directly

with the workerswith the workers Can overcome language Can overcome language

barriersbarriers Ample supply of workers Ample supply of workers

when neededwhen needed Training provided by Training provided by

contractorcontractor All paperwork completed All paperwork completed

by contractor – workman’s by contractor – workman’s compensation, payroll, compensation, payroll, taxes and deductions.taxes and deductions.

WorkersWorkers Recruiters responsible to Recruiters responsible to

train new workerstrain new workers Exploitation-contractors Exploitation-contractors

make money off other make money off other services-banking, food, services-banking, food, lodging, transportationlodging, transportation

No written contracts-labor No written contracts-labor law violationslaw violations

Day-haul labor marketsDay-haul labor markets Transportation issuesTransportation issues

HousingHousing

800,000 people hired to work on California farms yearly 800,000 people hired to work on California farms yearly There are 2,100 family housing units in 26 centers and There are 2,100 family housing units in 26 centers and

each houses fewer than two workers each houses fewer than two workers An additional 1,044 centers will house five or more An additional 1,044 centers will house five or more

workers leaving the remaining workers to find housing workers leaving the remaining workers to find housing from private sources – big problem in some areas from private sources – big problem in some areas (Napa, Sonoma)(Napa, Sonoma)

Government agencies; subsidized housing through Government agencies; subsidized housing through government grants and loans government grants and loans

13% on employer provided housing, 37% live with 13% on employer provided housing, 37% live with family members, 50% pay an average of $238/mo. rentfamily members, 50% pay an average of $238/mo. rent

Other Farm Worker IssuesOther Farm Worker Issues

Less than 1/3 of workers have CA Less than 1/3 of workers have CA driver’s licensesdriver’s licenses

70% pay an average of $5 per day for 70% pay an average of $5 per day for transportation to worktransportation to work

97% say they pay for their own tools 97% say they pay for their own tools even though the employer is required even though the employer is required to pay to pay

Lack of health careLack of health care

More Farm Worker IssuesMore Farm Worker Issues Technology has Technology has

reducedreduced available jobsavailable jobs Training needed in Training needed in semiskilled and semiskilled and

skilled tasks skilled tasks Farm workers are Farm workers are

at at risk for pesticide risk for pesticide exposureexposure

Changes in Farm Labor Changes in Farm Labor RegulationsRegulations

SanitationSanitation Farmers must provide restrooms within a reasonable Farmers must provide restrooms within a reasonable

walking distance.walking distance. Female workers must have their own restroom facilites.Female workers must have their own restroom facilites. Hand washing water and soap must be available.Hand washing water and soap must be available.

Pesticide TrainingPesticide Training Farm workers handling and applying pesticides must Farm workers handling and applying pesticides must

have specific training in their native language.have specific training in their native language. Appropriate protective equipment must be provided by Appropriate protective equipment must be provided by

the employer (goggles, disposeable clothes, gloves etc.)the employer (goggles, disposeable clothes, gloves etc.) Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

Employer must provide water and appropriate breaks Employer must provide water and appropriate breaks especially in extreme weather.especially in extreme weather.

Laws & RegulationsLaws & Regulations

U.S. Dept. of Labor-Employer must U.S. Dept. of Labor-Employer must provide Wages, Workers provide Wages, Workers Compensation & Social SecurityCompensation & Social Security

U.S. Code-Migrant and Seasonal U.S. Code-Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection ActAgricultural Worker Protection Act

USDA Labor Affairs-USDA Labor Affairs- immigration, H-2A immigration, H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Temporary Agricultural Worker Program, Worker Protection Standards Program, Worker Protection Standards for pesticide use, agricultural labor for pesticide use, agricultural labor supply, and farm worker employmentsupply, and farm worker employment

Laws & RegulationsLaws & Regulations

Targeted Industries Partnership Targeted Industries Partnership Program (1992) requires state and Program (1992) requires state and federal agencies to inspect sanitary federal agencies to inspect sanitary facilitiesfacilities

U.S. Immigration & Naturalization U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service-Service- employment eligibility employment eligibility verification I-9 formverification I-9 form

California Labor Code-Wages, Hours California Labor Code-Wages, Hours and Working Conditions; Agricultural and Working Conditions; Agricultural Labor Relations; Farm Labor Labor Relations; Farm Labor Contractors; Workers' CompensationContractors; Workers' Compensation

Agricultural Labor Relations BoardAgricultural Labor Relations Board

Early Organized LaborEarly Organized Labor Early attempts at Early attempts at

organized labor met with organized labor met with “threats of deportation, “threats of deportation, widespread arrests, widespread arrests, strikebreakers and strikebreakers and violenceviolence

Strikes in 1930, 32 and Strikes in 1930, 32 and 33-Agriculture Workers 33-Agriculture Workers Union-higher wages Union-higher wages

National Farm Workers National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) Association (NFWA) formed in 1962 by Cesar formed in 1962 by Cesar Chavez which later Chavez which later became the United Farm became the United Farm Workers of America. Workers of America.

United Farm Workers of AmericaUnited Farm Workers of America Based in Delano, California Based in Delano, California Originally chartered in Originally chartered in

1966 as the United Farm 1966 as the United Farm Workers Organizing Workers Organizing CommitteeCommittee

Chavez- president-firm Chavez- president-firm believer in peaceful believer in peaceful demonstration and demonstration and negotiation negotiation

Joined Filipino grape Joined Filipino grape pickers in 1965-nationwide pickers in 1965-nationwide boycott of California table boycott of California table grapes-higher wagesgrapes-higher wages

1966-march on 1966-march on Sacramento-70 workers Sacramento-70 workers led by Chavez-grew to led by Chavez-grew to 10,000 as they 10,000 as they approached the state approached the state capitol capitol

1968-Grape boycott worldwide-$25 million lawsuit by 1968-Grape boycott worldwide-$25 million lawsuit by 100 grape growers and shippers against Chavez and the 100 grape growers and shippers against Chavez and the UFWUFW

1970-grape workers reach contract agreements-lettuce 1970-grape workers reach contract agreements-lettuce boycott begins boycott begins

1973-United Farm Workers of America-60,000 farm 1973-United Farm Workers of America-60,000 farm workers-new round of boycotts for grape growers workers-new round of boycotts for grape growers

1988-Chavez fasts for 36 days to protest pesticide use.1988-Chavez fasts for 36 days to protest pesticide use. 1990-Chavez negotiates an agreement with the Mexican 1990-Chavez negotiates an agreement with the Mexican

government- Mexican farm workers in the U.S. can government- Mexican farm workers in the U.S. can provide medical benefits to their families in Mexico provide medical benefits to their families in Mexico

Chavez-receives Aguila Azteca, highest Mexican civilian Chavez-receives Aguila Azteca, highest Mexican civilian awardaward

Cesar Chavez dies of natural causes on April 23, 1993 in Cesar Chavez dies of natural causes on April 23, 1993 in San Luis, Arizona San Luis, Arizona

Chavez receives the U.S. Medal of Freedom from Pres. Chavez receives the U.S. Medal of Freedom from Pres. Clinton in 1994 Cesar Chavez Day-March 31Clinton in 1994 Cesar Chavez Day-March 31stst

http://www.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/cesarchavez.htmlhttp://www.pbs.org/itvs/fightfields/cesarchavez.html

Comparison of Agricultural Comparison of Agricultural Wages around the world:Wages around the world:

Mexico – farm labor makes 50-60 Mexico – farm labor makes 50-60 pesos per day (about $5)pesos per day (about $5)

El Salvador – El Salvador – Chile –Chile – China – China – America - $80-100 per day….America - $80-100 per day….

California Ag LaborCalifornia Ag Labor

Remember California has some of the most Remember California has some of the most stringent employer requirements and one stringent employer requirements and one of the highest minimum wages in the USA.of the highest minimum wages in the USA.

Workers are required to receive pesticide Workers are required to receive pesticide training, regular breaks and sanitary training, regular breaks and sanitary working conditions.working conditions.

These conditions and precautions don’t These conditions and precautions don’t exist in many countries that the USA exist in many countries that the USA imports food from – remember to support imports food from – remember to support LOCAL agriculture!LOCAL agriculture!

““Fair Trade” commodities??Fair Trade” commodities??