agricultural labor & immigration issues

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Agricultural Labor & Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues Immigration Issues

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Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues. California’s First Laborers. 64,500 Native California Indians Spanish Colonists – 21 California Missions from San Diego to Sonoma-rich agricultural centers Mexican rancheros California Gold Rush 1883-23,000 Indians remaining. The Chinese. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Agricultural Labor & Agricultural Labor & Immigration IssuesImmigration Issues

Page 2: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

California’s First LaborersCalifornia’s First Laborers

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

from San Diego to Sonoma-rich from San Diego to Sonoma-rich agricultural centersagricultural centers

Mexican rancherosMexican rancheros California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush 1883-23,000 Indians 1883-23,000 Indians

remainingremaining

Page 3: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 4: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

States?States? Less demand for wheat, lower interest ratesLess demand for wheat, lower interest rates Wheat fields replaced by orchards and vineyardsWheat fields replaced by orchards and vineyards Workforce-relatively unskilled, seasonal laborers Workforce-relatively unskilled, seasonal laborers

willing to work for low wages in short, intermittent willing to work for low wages in short, intermittent bursts bursts

Low wages led to higher land prices and less Low wages led to higher land prices and less family farmsfamily farms

Landowners increase their use of immigrant Landowners increase their use of immigrant workersworkers

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

Page 5: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

The JapaneseThe Japanese

Issei and Nisei-hard Issei and Nisei-hard workersworkers

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

Page 6: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 7: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 8: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Today’s Farm WorkerToday’s Farm Worker

Page 9: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 10: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 11: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

The IssuesThe IssuesWagesWages

EmployersEmployers Labor intensive, Labor intensive,

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

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

Farm LaborersFarm Laborers $7 to $8 an hour$7 to $8 an hour versus $14 to $15 per versus $14 to $15 per

hour in industryhour in industry Farm workers average Farm workers average

24.4 weeks of work per 24.4 weeks of work per year for a total of $5,500 year for a total of $5,500

High unemployment-High unemployment-15% in summer, 40% in 15% in summer, 40% in winterwinter

Only 12% speak English, Only 12% speak English, 85% have not finished 85% have not finished high schoolhigh school

Page 12: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Immigration IssuesImmigration Issues

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

1964-more Mexicans were 1964-more Mexicans were apprehended than entered apprehended than entered the U.S. legally the U.S. legally

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

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

ImmigrantsImmigrants Poverty caused by fear of Poverty caused by fear of

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

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

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

Page 13: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Farm Labor ContractorsFarm Labor Contractors

EmployersEmployers Don’t have to deal Don’t have to deal

directly with the directly with the workersworkers

Can overcome Can overcome language barrierslanguage barriers

Ample supply of Ample supply of workers when neededworkers when needed

Training provided by Training provided by contractorcontractor

WorkersWorkers Recruiters responsible Recruiters responsible

to train new workersto train new workers Exploitation-Exploitation-

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

No written contracts-No written contracts-labor law violationslabor law violations

Day-haul labor marketsDay-haul labor markets

Page 14: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Piece Rate VersusPiece Rate VersusHourly RateHourly Rate

EmployersEmployers 1/3 of agriculture 1/3 of agriculture

workers receive piece workers receive piece rate payrate pay

Advantage to employer-Advantage to employer-no employee screening no employee screening or close supervision to or close supervision to ensure productivityensure productivity

Minimum standards are Minimum standards are set and enforcedset and enforced

May result in lower May result in lower quality workquality work

WorkersWorkers Reduced piece rates Reduced piece rates

due to high due to high productivityproductivity

Unreasonable Unreasonable expectations for expectations for minimum standardsminimum standards

Page 15: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

HousingHousing

800,000 people hired to work on California farms 800,000 people hired to work on California farms yearly yearly

There are 2,100 family housing units in 26 centers There are 2,100 family housing units in 26 centers and each houses fewer than two workers and 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 workers leaving the remaining workers to find housing from private sourceshousing from private sources

Government agencies and NGOs; subsidized Government agencies and NGOs; subsidized housing through government grants and loans housing through 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. family members, 50% pay an average of $238/mo. rentrent

Page 16: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Other Farm Worker IssuesOther Farm Worker Issues

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

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

Lack of health careLack of health care Inadequate sanitary facilitiesInadequate sanitary facilities Little opportunity for upward mobilityLittle opportunity for upward mobility

Page 17: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 18: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Laws & RegulationsLaws & Regulations

U.S. Dept. of Labor-Employer must U.S. Dept. of Labor-Employer must provide Wages, UI, Workers provide Wages, UI, 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

Page 19: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

Page 20: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

BenefitsBenefits

Mandatory BenefitsMandatory Benefits Social Security, Social Security,

unemployment unemployment insurance and insurance and worker’s worker’s compensationcompensation

Many workers do not Many workers do not know they are know they are coveredcovered

Illegal workers have Illegal workers have no benefits-50% of no benefits-50% of the workforcethe workforce

Voluntary BenefitsVoluntary Benefits Pensions, health Pensions, health

insurance, and insurance, and vacation pay vacation pay

No overtime pay No overtime pay during the peak season during the peak season

Poverty-assistance Poverty-assistance programs such as programs such as

Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, and the Women, and the Women, Infants and Children Infants and Children program.program.

Page 21: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

Organized LaborOrganized Labor Early attempts at organized Early attempts at organized

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

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

Growers-Associated Growers-Associated Farmers-force and numbersFarmers-force and numbers

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

Page 22: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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

1968-25 day fast to gather 1968-25 day fast to gather support for the unionsupport for the union

Page 23: Agricultural Labor & Immigration Issues

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 21Clinton in 1994 Cesar Chavez Day-March 21stst

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