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United Farm Workers Profile picture
United Farm Workers
@UFWupdates
UFW: Fighting for farm worker rights since 1962. Si Se Puede! ® RT≠Endorsement. Press queries: media @ ufw . org
Jul 15 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
ADVISORY: Statement, media avail. from unjustly detained U.S. veteran George Retes

Ventura County, CA—
Wed 7/16 at 3 pm PT, George Retes, U.S. citizen and Army veteran unjustly detained by federal agents during last week’s raid will hold a virtual press availability. 1/ Interested media should
RSVP to media @ ufw . org.

Ahead of his press
availability, George Retes issues the following statement: My name is George Retes. I’m a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran, a U.S. citizen, and I work as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California. On July 10th, I was wrongfully detained by ICE agents while simply trying to report to work. I was pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed, had my car window smashed, and was dragged out of my vehicle at gunpoint — all while I was nonviolent, and doing nothing wrong. I clearly identified myself as a U.S. citizen and an employee of the farm, yet federal agents ignored me, yelled conflicting orders, and then violently detained me. I was held in cust...
Mr George Retes during deployment in the US Army
Jul 11 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The UFW can confirm farm workers were critically injured yesterday during chaotic raids in Ventura County, CA. Other workers, including US citizens, remain unaccounted for.

UFW staff is on the ground supporting impacted families.

Our full statement below. ⬇️
1/ a line of heavily armed federal agents in riot gear standing in a field surrounded by tomato plants Full statement:
2/ ufw.org/ufw-statement-…A black background with the words UFW Statement on July 10 Federal raid in Ventura County
Jun 11 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
We are aware of multiple federal operations impacting farm workers across California today. To all working people in California, remember: we are in this together. 1/ Border patrol truck coming into Oxnard fields where farm workers are laboring Our full statement below:

2/. #WeFeedYouufw.org/ufw-statement-…
Jan 8 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
UFW union members are among those detained while traveling home from work yesterday in Kern County, CA. We are providing them and their families with support.

Random actions like this are not meant to keep anyone safe, they are intended to terrorize hardworking people. Please take time to know your rights, make a plan for your family, and show solidarity to coworkers and neighbors who are vulnerable. ICE ON THE STREET: WHAT TO DO IF: ICE Stops You on the Streets ASK "AM I FREE TO GO?" You have the right to ask if you are being detained. If they say "yes," walk away calmly. If they say "no," ask the officer why they are stopping you. You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to ask for an attorney, and you have right to not consent to a search. Remember to invoke these rights! You should not share any information or sign any documents with ICE agents until you can speak to an attorney. STAY CALM. Do not provide ICE agents with any false docume...
Oct 9, 2024 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
We have grave concerns about the ongoing desperate struggle of farm workers in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and we are deeply afraid of the destruction headed for Florida farm workers as Hurricane Milton approaches. 1/ Helene left a path of destruction, with many migrant farm worker labor camps struggling with minimal shelter, without power or communications, relying on a system of mutual aid volunteers for the bare basics.

Volunteers continue to check on labor camps and deliver supplies.
Feb 21, 2024 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
On Feb 21 in Buffalo, NY, farm workers are rallying alongside community and labor allies outside the U.S. Courthouse.

The court will be hearing New York Vegetable Growers Association v. Hochul.

At stake: Do farm workers in New York have a right to organize? Farm workers are mostly excluded from federal labor laws. In 2019, NY passed the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act which gives farmworkers the right to unionize in NY state. Since then we’ve won certification at 5 farms so far, with more pending. theguardian.com/us-news/2023/j…
Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers, told the Guardian that the victories were made possible by a four-year-old New York law - the Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act - which gives farm workers a state-protected right to unionize and prohibits retaliation against farm workers seeking to organize. To ease unionization, the law requires farms to recognize a union once a majority of workers sign pro-union cards. "It's amazing. When the The laws change, workers really can win, Romero said.
Nov 22, 2023 • 21 tweets • 8 min read
As you begin preparing to gather with friends and family for a Thanksgiving meal, share your favorite holiday dishes and traditions below.

We’ll show you the skilled work it takes to plant, tend and harvest the food on your table. #WeFeedYou While we wait for your replies to start rolling in, this is how those fresh and fragrant bundled herbs like Italian parsley get to your grocery store.
Jun 30, 2023 • 12 tweets • 5 min read
Much of the USA is under heat warning. Heat is a deadly threat for farm workers, and conditions are getting worse.

There are a myriad of dangers caused by extreme heat that most people don’t consider when they open the refrigerator in their air conditioned kitchen. 1/ a farm worker hand harvesting turnips Even one shift of outdoor agricultural work in hot weather can be detected in bloodwork — heat strain causes acute kidney injury. https://t.co/pklc8GQtEGoem.bmj.com/content/74/6/4…
Results 35 participants were characterised with incident AKI over the course of a work shift (12.3%). Workers who experienced heat strain had increased adjusted odds of AKI (1.34, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.74). Piece rate work was associated with 4.24 odds of AKI (95% CI 1.56 to 11.52). Females paid by the piece had 102.81 adjusted odds of AKI (95% CI 7.32 to 1443.20). Discussion Heat strain and piece rate work are associated with incident AKI after a single shift of agricultural work, though gender differences exist. Modifications to payment structures may help prevent AKI.
Jan 16, 2023 • 8 tweets • 6 min read
Cesar Chavez followed Dr King’s career since the 1950s Montgomery bus boycott. Whenever newspapers carried accounts of #MLK battles, the stories "would jump out of the pages at me," Cesar said. MLK reaffirmed Cesar's commitment to nonviolent struggle & inspired UFW's boycotts. 1/ Historical photo of MLK Although the two never met, they corresponded. Dr. King preached that genuine equality was not possible without economic equality. "What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't have enough money to buy a hamburger?" #MLK declared. 2/ Mural with Cesar Chavez, MLK, Gandhi, UFW martyrs
Nov 22, 2022 • 30 tweets • 18 min read
As you shop and prepare your #Thanksgiving meals, we'd like you to know a little more about the work behind the ingredients and the people doing that work to put food on our tables.

Here's a thread for everyone who wants to thank a farm worker this week.

#WeFeedYou Veggies make great sides on the #Thanksgiving table.

Here Teresa harvests beets in the Oxnard area. She spends her 8 hour workday on her knees on the damp earth.

#WeFeedYou
Aug 16, 2022 • 6 tweets • 5 min read
Today the farm worker movement is out marching for #AB2183 and fair choices when organizing, free from fear and retaliation. This past Cesar Chavez Day we let California know we were ready to march.

California let us know we wouldn’t be marching alone. 🧵calmatters.org/california-div… Collage of photos of farm w... We’re marching for @CAgovernor Newsom’s support of #AB2183. We deserve choices in how we access the democratic process of union elections.

As things are now, elections are held on the growers’ private property under the watchful eye of the employer. fresnobee.com/news/californi…
Aug 16, 2022 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
Ever wonder where broccoli in your cruidité comes from? This is how it’s harvested. #WeFeedYou Check out this carrot harvest! FYI: Produce doesn’t show up in Wegman’s by magic.
Aug 10, 2022 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
Our march continues to grow. As we march, our sights are set on Sacramento and on our right to vote in union elections without intimidation or fear.

@GavinNewsom, sign #AB2183. A woman in a sun hat leads ... To follow our progress, to learn more about #AB2183, to join our march, or to donate: ufw.org/caagvotingchoi…
Nov 22, 2021 • 46 tweets • 19 min read
As you are shopping, prepping and preparing your Thanksgiving meals, we'd like you to know a little more about the work behind every ingredient and the people doing that work.

Here's a thread for everyone who wants to thank a farm worker this week. #WeFeedYou Many wine grape workers are paid piece rate, a set amount per unit harvested. Piece rates make heat dangerous as workers are less likely to take breaks. Fortino works under a union contract with @SteMichelle, a WA employer that takes worker safety (including heat) very seriously.
Sep 22, 2021 • 4 tweets • 3 min read
Just one day into farm workers’ march for Gov. @GavinNewsom’s signature, he has vetoed #AB616.

Workers are now marching towards the French Laundry, hoping to finally meet with the Governor. Farm workers have been asking for a meeting with @CAgovernor since early June to discuss #AB616, without success.

AB616 would have allowed farm workers to form a union by casting a secret ballot in many of the same ways CA voters did in the recall. 2/
Sep 22, 2021 • 10 tweets • 7 min read
BREAKING: Farm workers are launching a 260 mile march for @CAgovernor’s signature on #AB616, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act. Starting under smoke-filled skies, the grueling march draws upon CA farm workers’ rich history and deep cultural and spiritual roots grounded in self-sacrifice. It will retrace much of the route as the historic Cesar Chavez-led 1966 march to Sacramento.
Sep 6, 2021 • 20 tweets • 9 min read
Happy Labor Day. Happy Labor Day. #WeFeedYou
Jul 3, 2021 • 10 tweets • 5 min read
We often get asked why we cover our skin even in hot weather. Why do we need long pants, long sleeves and head/face coverings in 100+ weather?

Reason one: health experts advise anyone to dress in light layers to keep cool when working in the sun. (1/thread) #WeFeedYou Even pre-covid, we covered our faces to protect ourselves from inhaled irritants and toxins. Pesticides, dust, or even crop debris such as the tiny hairs on okra vines can damage lungs. So can Valley Fever, a fungal infection caused by inhaled particles. aghealth.ucdavis.edu/news/research-…
Jun 28, 2021 • 7 tweets • 3 min read
WA does not require employers to provide us with the heat protections needed to save our lives. This must change.

It’s cherry season so conditions are incredibly dangerous. With labor needs at peak, workers from 12 years old to 70+ are out working. High tomorrow of 118° here. 1/ OR is in the process of creating better rules to protect us against heat injury, but the process won’t be finalized until September.

In the meantime, will farm workers die preventable deaths? These are unprecedented temperatures.
Jun 26, 2021 • 10 tweets • 4 min read
It’s peak cherry season in WA— so TEN MILLION pounds of cherries are being harvested each day, in this brutal, record-breaking heat wave.

Heat like this is hard on cherries and it’s even harder on the workers harvesting them. It’s terrifying.
(1/thread) seattletimes.com/seattle-news/w… Cherries shrivel in extreme heat, so there’s pressure to harvest them as fast as possible.
Temps will reach 115* this week and even overnight it stays warm.

Heat like this can be fatal. In WA it’s legal to house workers in tents so the exposure is 24/7. nytimes.com/2020/08/12/mag…
Jan 24, 2021 • 16 tweets • 7 min read
Thread: Ever think about the logistics of the food on your plate and the human costs of our food supply? #WeFeedYou
When it rains, workers either wait (unpaid) for the storm to lift, or go to work in the rain among slippery, muddy rows. If they’re paid a piece rate, the work is slower but the piece rate stays the same.