For a Better Quality of Life – Farmworker Advocacy Day 2013

original article: http://www.labor-religion.org/2013/05/15/para-una-mejor-calidad-de-vida/#.UaetKetOk4A

On Monday, May 13th  over 200 farmworkers, advocates, faith leaders,  students, teachers, labor partners and community members marched on Albany to demand that equal protections be extended to agricultural laborers. The rally in New York’s capital was lead by Kerry Kennedy (president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights), Dolores Huerta (co-founder of The United Farm Workers and compatriot of César Chávez), and Librada Paz (RFK Human Rights Defender and long-time farmworker advocate).

For roughly a decade the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act, a bill that would eliminate Jim Crow era exemptions of farmworkers from basic protections afforded to other workers, has waited in the NYS Senate. As New York’s agricultural industry expands from its already important role in our state’s economy, the laborers who work to support that growth do their physically exhausting jobs without overtime pay, days of rest, collective bargaining, or disability insurance. During Monday’s day of action (which included a march and rally, lobby visits, a prayer vigil,  street theatre, and a press conference) the New York State Assembly passed the bill. Now advocates statewide, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, are urging state senators to pledge their support to Farmworker Justice and equal protections for all agricultural laborers. More than ever, it is essential that communities state-wide make their voices heard in support of Fair Food and Farmworker Justice.

• Stay informed and connected! Check out some photographic coverage here, or take a look at our Farmworker Advocacy Day media round-up below:

“Cuomo, ex-wife Kennedy push farm workers’ rights”

“Farm workers and advocates call on legislature to require basic labor protections”

“Rally for rights of farm workers”

“Farmworker rights rally at the capitol”

“Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act”

• Sign the petition to protect the workers who feed us.

• Join our Email List for updates, action alerts, and breaking news on the campaign for Farmworker Justice.

• Contact your state senator urging them to help keep our food supply chain fair and just, by extending basic workers’ rights to agricultural laborers. Tell them why you support the campaign for Farmworker Justice, or work from the following statement: “Farm workers are among the most vulnerable workers in our society. Contemporary farm workers endure substandard wages, often brutal working conditions, no health insurance or other employee benefits, horrifying living conditions, and environmental hazards. We urge the NYS Legislature to give farm workers equal protection and rights covered by the National Labor Relations Act of 1938, covering collective bargaining rights, an optional day of rest each week, overtime pay, and unemployment insurance coverage.”

•  Tweet at you state senator, telling them to support New York’s agricultural workers, craft something unique or use our sample tweet: “@(yoursenator) Our booming ag. industry grows on the backs of #farmworkers. Protect ALL of NYs workers! #FarmworkerFairLaborPracticesAct”