Farmworker Justice N E W S www.farmworkerjustice.org www.harvestingjustice.org Volume 25, No 2 Fall 2010 Comedian Colbert Brings Attention to the Need WHAT’S INSIDE for Immigration Reform for Comedian Colbert Brings Attention Farmworkers to Need for Immigration Reform for Farmworkers 1

Farmworker Justice Joins Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative 2

Inaugural New York City Wine Tasting 3

Farmworker Justice New Staff and Board of Directors News 4

Farmworker Justice and Oxfam America Release Report on Solutions to Rampant Labor Violations 5

December 2010 Washington DC Wine Tasting 6-7 Farmworkers and immigration reform dominated headlines in the Improving the Occupational Health weeks surrounding Congress’s recess for the election. On September and Safety of Farmworkers 9 24, Stephen Colbert, anchor of Comedy Central’s fictitious news report titled The Colbert Report, testified in a hearing before the House Noticias en Español 10-11 of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigrations regarding his experience engaging in farm work through the United Farm Workers’ “Take Our Jobs” campaign. Colbert had invited United Farm Workers’ President Arturo Rodriguez to his show in July to discuss immigration How You Can Help reform and the UFW’s “Take Our Jobs” campaign. The Take Our Farmworker Justice relies on the support of people like you. Now more Jobs campaign challenges Americans criticizing farmworkers for than ever, we can help farmworkers create better lives for themselves “taking” U.S. worker jobs to apply for agricultural work. The campaign and their families. There are a variety of ways you can get involved: has demonstrated a lack of interest by US workers in farmwork, • Make a donation at www.farmworkerjustice.org. highlighting the need for immigration reform for farmworkers. The • Join the Harvesters of Justice. As a Harvester of Justice, your annual commitment of $1,000 or interview segment concluded with Colbert agreeing to participate in the more supports Farmworker Justice’s work in the courts, Congress, UFW campaign; and he subsequently spent a day working on farm administrative agencies and farmworker communities. picking beans and packing corn. • Become a Monthly Sustainer. Sustainers who donate $70 or more a month receive a Prior to the hearing, Farmworker Justice presented members of complimentary ticket to our annual award reception. Congress with an analysis of issues and proposed legislation. • Leave a legacy of farmworker justice. Additionally, Farmworker Justice worked with United Farm Workers in Consider Farmworker Justice when you prepare your will. a multi-media campaign to obtain media coverage of this important • Support the Shelley Davis Memorial Fund. hearing. • Federal Employee Contributions. Federal employees can contribute through the Combined Federal During the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration Campaign #10778. hearing, entitled Protecting America’s Harvest, Colbert testified in Please visit our website for more ways to get involved. continued page 2 Thanks for your support! Colbert Brings Attention to Immigration Reform continued from page 1 character as a conservative blow-hard reporter with many jokes; however, he also addressed serious issues arising from his day of As Congress recessed for the election working in the fields alongside immigrant farmworkers. Colbert noted campaigns, two U.S. Senators introduced two the difficulty of farm work and suggested that Congress consider separate bills to “fix” the H-2A agricultural making immigration visas available to undocumented farmworkers. He guestworker program – almost completely for the benefit of employers – presumably to add observed that, “improved legal status might allow immigrants recourse them to a must-pass spending bill when if they were abused. And it just stands to reason to me that if your Congress returns just after the elections. coworker can’t be exploited, then you’re less likely to be exploited These bills -- a narrowly-tailored one by Sen. yourself and that itself might lead to improved pay and working Leahy, a Democrat, and a complex, far-reach- conditions on these farms.” ing one by Sen. Chambliss, a Republican-- do not stabilize the farm labor system as they do Toward the end of the hearing, in response to a question from Rep. Judy not offer the undocumented farmworkers Chu (D-CA) about his interest in this topic, Colbert broke from currently harvesting our nation’s crops the character and spoke poignantly about his concern for the powerless and opportunity to gain immigration status with a path to US citizenship. Senator Chambliss’s bill his belief that our society must help the least among us, noting that reduces key worker protections in the H-2A migrant workers “seem like the least of our brothers right now . . . [they] program while seeking to massively expand the suffer and have no rights.” program.

UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and Virginia apple grower Phil Congress will return after the elections in Glaize also testified at the hearing. Both Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Glaize November for a "lame duck" session. AgJOBS stressed the need for immigration reform and the need to support a supporters will continue to push for the passage labor-management solution: the AgJOBS bill. AgJOBS provides an of AgJOBS, not one-sided reform of the H-2A intricately negotiated framework which would create an earned program. Congress has a number of priorities on its agenda and it is unclear what they will be legalization program for undocumented farmworkers and would reform able to accomplish when they return. Much of the H-2A guestworker program in balanced ways. what happens will hinge on the election results and the mood of the returning members. We During the same week, Colbert aired two shows reporting on his day will be providing the farmworker community doing farmwork and interviewing Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the Chair with analyses of and potential responses to the of the Immigration Subcommittee, about the need for immigration new bills. reform. Some legislators and pundits criticized Colbert’s appearance in character at the Congressional hearing, but as Farmworker Justice Stay tuned to our website, President Bruce Goldstein pointed out in his letter to the editor published www.farmworkerjustice.org, and blog, www.harvestingjustice.org, for updates. in the Washington Post on October 2nd, Colbert brought attention to an important issue and, amid the jokes, identified serious problems and suggested meaningful solutions. •

Learn more about AgJOBS and keep up-to-date on recent developments by visiting www.farmworkerjustice.org/agjobs

Farmworker Justice Joins Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative Farmworker Justice is pleased to announce that our highly regarded HIV/AIDS work will be expanding under a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant. This new project is funded through the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI). Act Against AIDS (AAA) is a multifaceted communications campaign designed to refocus national attention on the HIV crisis and reduce HIV incidence in the United States.

This year CDC created an Act Against AIDS Hispanic/Latino Leadership Initiative to harness the strength and reach of Latino organizations to increase HIV-related awareness, knowledge, and participation within Latino communities. The goal of the Latino AAALI is to step-up HIV prevention efforts by promoting HIV prevention messages within organizations that serve Latino communities in a variety contexts including: legal, education, job training, and immigration sectors. In addition to working with FJ’s already

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Page 2 Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 AIDS Leadership Initiative continued from page 1 established network of organizations, we will also collaborate with National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and work extensively with its organizational affiliates. FJ will train organizations how to include HIV prevention messages in the work they currently do and to encourage them to become involved in national HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns.

HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts Latinos. CDC’s 2009 data show that while Latinos make up 13% of the US population, they account for 18% of people living with HIV and 17% of all new infections (CDC, HIV and AIDS among Latinos available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/FactSheets.html). To prevent more HIV infections, we need to harness the energy of the entire Latino community, not solely HIV-centered organizations. FJ is excited to be involved in this effort and looks forward to working with new partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS. •

Inaugural New York In September, Farmworker Justice held its First Socially Responsible Wine Tasting in New York City at the Astra Restaurant in midtown. Actor Tony Wine Tasting Plana graced the event as a special guest. He regaled attendees with stories about his personal connections with the farmworker movement dating back to his early acting career. He gave our organization a rousing welcome to the Big Apple and expressed his hope that this year’s New York wine tasting would be the first of an annual tradition.

Wine expert Michael Green enthusiastically guided the gathering through a fine selection of wines from unionized vineyards. Thanks to all who attended and sponsored this special event.

We would like to recognize the following sponsors of the New York City Event:

Magnum Anonymous Sponsor

Harvester New York Administrative Employees C.W. A. Local 1180

Cultivator Erica Morris and Andrew Goldstein Lois & Dale Good

Taster Joseph Liposky Lewis Papenfuse Rural Opportunities, Inc Bari Schwartz and Barry Hager Ilene and Bill Ursillo The Shimkin Foundation Catherine Ursillo

Farmworker Justice has received an anonymous challenge grant in the amount of $5,000 when we raise $20,000 in sponsorship from our wine tasting events. We have one more opportunity to reach this sponsorship goal with our Washington DC Wine Tasting which is being held on December 8th. Learn more about how you can support the event on page 6.

Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Page 3 Farmworker Justice Welcomes Two New Staff Members Farmworker Justice Etan Newman joins our team as the first Farmworker Justice 2010 Board of Directors Fellow. Etan holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Brown University and most recently worked at the Brookings Institution’s GRIZELLE APODACA, Chair Metropolitan Policy Program as an Emerson Hunger Fellow. He also President, Eslabon & Associates has experience in direct service work as a member of the food stamp Goodyear, AZ outreach team at Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose, CA. RAMON RAMIREZ, Vice-Chair President, PCUN At FJ, Etan will be supporting our legal and advocacy work for Woodburn, OR stronger occupational safety and health measures and immigration issues. He’ll also be working with our farmworker health team on ------initiatives such as Eye on Farmworker Health, an e-newsletter for migrant clinicians. Etan is passionate about farmworker issues and EDDIE ACOSTA immigration reform and is excited for a year filled with hard work Coordinator, Worker Centers, AFL-CIO and adventure. Washington DC HUMBERTO FUENTES Jessica Felix-Romero, PhD., joins our team as the new communi- Nampa, ID cation coordinator. She recently completed a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and JACK GALLON, Esq. focused her research on the role of subsistence farmers in building General Counsel Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO peace in El Salvador, Central America. Toledo, OH She has professional experience working on immigration issues and PETE GARCIA interfaith community building. For the last 6 years, while working President, Victoria Foundation on her doctorate, Jessica has held various positions at the national Phoenix, AZ office of the Council of Better Business Bureaus and served as the CARMEN GRANADOS Web Content Manager. There she participated in communication Manager, Farmworker Programs, UMOS campaigns aimed at educating the Spanish-speaking public about Milwaukee, WI fraudulent employment opportunities. She has been voluntarily MARIO GUTIERREZ assisting the Permaculture Institute of El Salvador with their Policy Associate website and working to support the development of the sustainable Center for Connected Health Policy agriculture communities within that country. Sacramento, CA KATHY L. KRIEGER, Esq. In addition to a strong commitment to social justice and our mission, Partner, James & Hoffman, P.C. Jessica has a strong background in social media, online content Washington, DC management systems and evaluation of the effectiveness of online campaigns. MOISES LOZA Executive Director, Housing Assistance Council Washington, DC MARIO MARTINEZ Board of Directors News: General Counsel, United Farm Workers Government Service Beckons Bakersfield, CA VIRGINIA NESMITH Executive Director, National Farm Worker Ministry Raul Yzaguirre, who served as Honorary President of the Board of St. Louis, MO Directors of Farmworker Justice, left the Board to become GENE ORTEGA Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Nominated in March 2010 Executive Director, Rural Housing, Inc. by President Obama, the Senate confirmed Mr. Yzaguirre in late Albuquerque, NM September. Most recently he had been Presidential Professor at Arizona State University, following his retirement as President and TONY SALAZAR CEO of the National Council of La Raza. West Coast President, McCormick, Baron, Salazar Los Angeles, CA Irasema Garza recently resigned from the Board to take the BARI SCHWARTZ, Esq. position of Senior Counselor to the Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. Washington, DC Ms. Garza, who was a migrant farmworker as a child and was raised OCTAVIANA V. TRUJILLO, PhD in Michigan, recently had been President of Legal Momentum Chair, Department of Applied Indigenous Studies (formerly NOW Legal Defense Fund). During the Clinton Northern Arizona University Administration, she directed the Women’s Bureau within the U.S. Flagstaff, AZ Department of Labor. She has been a valued member of the Board and we wish her well.

Page 4 Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Farmworker Justice and Oxfam America Release Report on Solutions to Rampant Labor Violations

Serious persistent violations of farmworkers’ minimum wage rights and other labor protections are documented in a report released in June by Farmworker Justice and Oxfam America, “Weeding out abuses: Recommendations for a law-abiding farm labor system.” The report urges the U.S. Department of Labor to improve its enforcement of farmworker rights and protections under federal laws administered by the agency. It lays out several specific enforcement recommendations, including that the DOL take steps to:

• Ensure that DOL investigators and attorneys offer farmworkers the opportunity to file complaints confidentially and anonymously as well as reduce workers’ risk of discipline or discharge for challenging illegal employer conduct. • Focus special attention on the many agricultural employers who violate the employment laws with respect to undocumented workers. • Exercise its jurisdiction over the recruitment process in Mexico and other countries under the H-2A and H-2B guestworker programs where serious abuses are occurring. • Attack abuses associated with growers’ use of farm labor contractors. • Improve compliance with labor laws by increased communication and cooperation with farmworkers and organizations in farmworker communities. • Seek remedies for workers and fines on employers in amounts large enough to deter employers from violating the law.

On June 15, representatives of Farmworker Justice and Oxfam America, joined by long-time farmworker activist Dolores Huerta and two farmworkers from Washington State, presented the report to high-level DOL officials and held a briefing for congressional staff. At the congressional briefing, Rep. Judy Chu of California affirmed her commitment to help empower farmworkers and improve their working conditions. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis later issued a statement in response to the report, indicating that she and her Department recognize the existence of serious labor compliance problems in agriculture and that they are committed to improving enforcement. •

In this issue we wish to give a special thanks to Jan and Tom Casey of Granite City, Illinois who have been sustainers of Farmworker Justice for many years.

The regular contribution sent by the Casey’s and other Monthly Sustainers enables Farmworker Justice to continue its work to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their lives, working conditions, and access to justice.

To learn more about becoming a Monthly Sustainer, please visit http://farmworkerjustice.org/how-to-help-farmworkers/monthly-sustainers

Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Page 5 You’reto oIur nvited 9th Annual Socially Responsible Wine Tasting Event DECEMBER 8, 2010 6pm-8:30pm • AFL-CIO Samuel Gompers Hall

Featuring Wine Expert Michael Franz, Editor of Wine Review Online

The Farmworker Justice Socially Responsible Wine Tasting is an opportunity for an enjoyable evening of tasting wine from vineyards where farmworkers are treated well and have a voice at work while also supporting the vital advocacy, litigation and education work of Farmworker Justice. Farmworker Justice empowers migrant farmworkers to improve their immigration status, labor rights, health, occupational safety and access to justice.

This year, Farmworker Justice received a challenge grant from an anonymous donor who pledged $5,000 if we obtain at least $20,000 in sponsorships. Sponsorships range from $250 to $5,000 and individual tickets are available at $90.

Information is also available on our website at http://www.farmworkerjustice.org/special-events/2010- wine-tasting. You can submit your payment via a secure method on our website or use the tear out sponsorship form on page 6. We thank the AFL-CIO for again hosting the Socially Responsible Wine Tasting in the wonderful venue of the Samuel Gompers hall. We are looking forward to seeing you at this showcase event and thank you for your generous donations to continue our vital advocacy work.

Page 6 Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Yes, we’d like to promote Farmworker Justice by being a sponsor of the DC Socially Responsible Wine The Wine Tasting is a great opportunity to Tasting. support the important work of Farmworker Enclosed is a check to Farmworker Justice, 1126 16th Justice. Street, N.W., Suite 270, Washington, D.C. 20036. Sponsorships are available at the following levels: Name

Magnum $5,000 10 tickets Title Premier Cru $2,500 6 tickets Supporting Organization (if any) Harvester $1,000 4 tickets

Cultivator $500 Address 2 tickets

Taster $250 1 ticket City, State, Zip

Sponsors will be identified in the invitation to the wine tasting and the event. Telephone

Individual tickets are available at $90 per ticket. Email Address Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law as Farmworker Justice is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. My donation of $______is to be a sponsor at the following level (check one): You may send a check to: J Magnum $5,000 Farmworker Justice J 1126 16th Street NW, Suite 270 Premier Cru $2,500 Washington, D.C. 20036 J Harvester $1,000 J Cultivator $500 Or donate online through our PayPal account: J Taster $250 http://farmworkerjustice.org/special- events/2010-wine-tasting J I can’t sponsor, but I’ll buy ___individual ticket(s) at $90 each totaling: $______

J I can’t sponsor or attend, but here is a tax-deductible donation of $______.

Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Page 7 Farmworker Justice Staff

BRUCE GOLDSTEIN The Shelley Davis President Memorial Fund

ADRIENNE DER VARTANIAN Staff Attorney/Policy Analyst

JENNIFER MARIA FREEMAN SMITH, PhD Project Director, HIV Mobilization

KATTRINA HANCY, M.P.H. Capacity Building Assistance Coordinator

ETAN NEWMAN Farmworker Justice Fellow

MERLYN PEREZ Office Manager

AMERICA RIVERA Administrative Assistant

JESSICA FELIX-ROMERO, PhD Communications Coordinator

VIRGINIA RUÍZ Senior Attorney

CARLOS UGARTE Director of Health Programs The Shelley Davis Memorial Fund was created by the WEEUN WANG family of our late Deputy Director and Farmworker Senior Attorney/Litigation Coordinator Justice to carry out the work that Shelley Davis developed and loved, especially litigation and advocacy on occupational safety and health of farmworkers. The Memorial Fund has raised over $225,000 toward a Congratulations five-year goal of $1 million. Supporters of Farmworker Justice may designate their donation to the Memorial to Board of Directors member, Jack Gallon Fund; donations are tax-deductible. on his recent “Nuestra Familia”award from the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission. Your contribution will enable Farmworker Justice to Mr. Gallon is the General Counsel of the advocate and litigate to win changes in government Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL- policies and employment practices to prevent illnesses CIO, and founder of the Gallon Takacs labor and injuries from heat stress, pesticide poisoning, law firm in Ohio. The Ohio Latino Affairs unsanitary conditions, dangerous machinery and other Commission’s “Nuestra Familia” award hazards. recognizes non-Hispanic individuals or organizations that have gone the extra mile The Memorial Fund Campaign Committee thanks all our to ensure inclusion, participation and donors for their support. engagement of Latinos living in Ohio and demonstrate a commitment to building long term partnerships to make Ohio a welcoming place for all people.

Congratulations Jack for this well-deserved recognition for your contributions to the Latino community and in particular to empowering farmworkers!

Page 8 Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Improving the Occupational Health and Safety of Farmworkers

Agricultural work is one of the most dangerous jobs in Farmworker Justice is dedicated to ensuring the safety of the U.S. The hazards, in conjunction with the poverty, farmworkers in their workplaces. Our advocacy work vulnerability, and lack of knowledge about workplace includes efforts to include farmworkers in more OSHA rights have exacerbated the safety and health of migrant standards, such as those addressing fall hazards and the farmworkers. prevention of injury and illness at work.

Agriculture presents many occupational safety and health We are also monitoring the EPA’s progress in revising the hazards, including Worker Protection Standard (WPS), the primary federal • exposure to pesticides law protecting agricultural workers from the health risks • lack of adequate drinking water and unsanitary working associated with pesticides. The EPA is planning to issue conditions proposed revisions to the WPS in late 2011, and • musculo-skeletal injuries from lengthy stooping, lifting, Farmworker Justice is working closely with other and cutting farmworker advocates to ensure that these revisions include • farm machinery and equipment, including tractors, better worker safety training, more worker protections, and ladders and sharp tools increased enforcement provisions. • exposure to extreme weather conditions Farmworker Justice is also stepping up efforts to Despite the uniquely dangerous work and vulnerable educate workers around the country on workplace hazards workforce, few occupational health and safety laws protect and injury prevention. We recently received a Susan farmworkers, and some specifically exclude them. For Harwood Capacity Building Grant from OSHA to educate example, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH farmworkers about their rights under occupational safety Act) contains a large number of general safety and health and health laws and about preventing injuries and illnesses standards. However, most of these standards do not apply related to pesticides, heat stress and poor sanitary to agricultural workplaces. Among the many OSHA conditions. We will be working closely with 3 farmworker standards that exempt agriculture are ladder safety organizations (Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Somerton, AZ; requirements, protections against electrocution and Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, unguarded machinery, requirements to inform employees Fresno, CA; and Mujeres Sin Fronteras, Kinston, NC) to about work hazards, and whistle-blower protections. There provide outreach and training to farmworkers in Arizona, are only seven standards that do apply in agriculture, and California and North Carolina. even these are of limited value because Congress has forbidden funds made available for OSHA enforcement to Through both advocacy and community education, be applied to farms with fewer than 11 employees (unless we hope to make an impact on improving the workplace the farm maintains an active temporary labor camp). safety of farmworkers around the country. •

Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Page 9 Farmworker Justice N E W S Las Noticias de Justicia Campesina www.justiciacampesina.org El humorista Colbert saca a colación la necesidad de la reforma migratoria para los trabajadores agrícolas En las semanas del receso del Congreso previo a las elecciones, los temas de los trabajadores agrícolas y la reforma migratoria dominaron los titulares de prensa. El 24 de Septiembre, Stephen Colbert, humorista del informativo ficticio The Colbert Report del canal Comedy Central, rindió testimonio ante la Subcomisión sobre Inmigración de la Cámara de Representantes. Habló acerca de su experiencia de trabajo en el campo durante la campaña Take Our Jobs organizada por el sindicato campesino United Farm Workers. Colbert invitó a Arturo Rodríguez, presidente del sindicato, para que en julio acudiera a su programa para hablar sobre la reforma migratoria y la campaña Take Our Jobs, que invita a los norteamericanos que critican a los inmigrantes por “robarles” el trabajo a los estadounidenses, a que presenten sus solicitudes para hacer labores agrícolas. La campaña ha dejado muy en claro la falta de interés del trabajador estadounidense en realizar faenas agrícolas y ha recalcado la necesidad de la reforma migratoria para el trabajador del agro. El segmento de la entrevista concluyó con la promesa de Colbert de aceptar el reto y participar en la campaña de la UFW. Posteriormente pasó un día cosechando frijoles y empacando maíz. Antes de la comparecencia de Colbert ante la Comisión, Justicia Campesina les había presentado a los congresistas un análisis de las problemáticas y la ley propuesta. Además, Justicia Campesina colaboró con la United Farm Workers en la realización de una campaña de multimedios con miras a lograr buena cobertura en los medios de comunicación de esta importante audiencia. Durante la audiencia de la subcomisión de la Cámara, llamada Protecting America’s Harvest, Colbert incorporó en sus palabras una cantidad de comentarios cómicos representando al periodista súper conservador que desempeña en su serie de televisión. Sin embargo, también habló con gran claridad sobre las graves dificultades que enfrenta el trabajador del agro de las que se enteró en su día de trabajo en los campos donde compartió labores con campesinos migrantes. Colbert recalcó lo difícil de las faenas de campo y le sugirió al Congreso que contemplara el otorgamiento de visas migratorias a los trabajadores de campo indocumentados. Observó que “al mejorarles su estatus legal, se les ofrecen a los indocumentados recursos en caso de que alguien abuse de ellos. Y no cabe duda que si no se puede abusar de un trabajador tampoco podrán abusar de otro. A la larga, podría servir para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo y de pago en las granjas”. Hacia el final de la audiencia, respondiendo a una pregunta de la diputada demócrata californiana Judy Chu que le consultaba sobre su interés en el tema, Colbert dejó de ser su personaje televisivo y habló conmovido de su preocupación por las personas sin ningún poder y su firme creencia de que nuestra sociedad debe ayudar al más necesitado entre todos. Comentó que el trabajador agrícola “parece ser el que menos tiene entre nuestros hermanos ahora … sufre y está totalmente desposeído de derechos”. Arturo Rodríguez, presidente de la UFW, junto con el dueño de plantaciones de manzanas en Virginia Phil Glaize, también rindieron testimonio durante la audiencia. Tanto el señor Rodríguez como el señor Glaize hicieron hincapié en la necesidad de la reforma migratoria y la necesidad de hallar una solución al conflicto entre el trabajador y sus manejadores: la leyAgJOBS.AgJOBS crea un marco de referencia negociado minuciosamente que crearía un programa de legalización ganada para los trabajadores del agro indocumentados y al mismo tiempo reformaría el programa de visados H-2A para crear un panorama más equilibrado. Durante la misma semana, en la serie de televisión de Colbert, en dos ocasiones presentó segmentos de su día en el trabajo agrícola y una entrevista con la representante Zoe Lofgren (demócrata de California), líder de la subcomisión de inmigración. Algunos legisladores y comentaristas criticaron a Colbert por comparecer en el Congreso como su personaje, pero como lo indicara el presidente de Justicia Campesina Bruce Goldstein en su carta al editor publicada en el Washington Post el 2 de octubre, Colbert atrajo la atención a un tema de importancia vital y, entre broma y broma, identificó problemas graves y sugirió soluciones importantes. •

Lea más acerca de la ley AgJOBS en nuestra sede en internet, www.farmworkerjustice.org/agjobs

Page 10 Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Mejoras en la salud y seguridad de los trabajadores del agro Trabajar en los campos es uno de los empleos más peligrosos Justicia Campesina se dedica de lleno a la seguridad del en Estados Unidos. Los peligros, además de la pobreza, la trabajador agrícola en los campos. Nuestra labor incluye vulnerabilidad y la fata de conocimientos sobre los derechos esfuerzos para incluir a más trabajadores en las normas de la con que se cuenta en el trabajo, han puesto en entredicho la OSHA, tales como las que tienen que ver con los peligros seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes. de las caídas y la prevención de lesiones y enfermedades en el trabajo. También estamos vigilando muy de cerca el En la labor agrícola se enfrentan toda clase de peligros progreso de la EPA en la revisión de la Norma de Protección ocupacionales que atentan contra la salud y la seguridad. Se del Trabajador (WPS), la ley federal primaria que protege destacan, entre otros: al trabajador agrícola de los riesgos que presentan los • estar expuesto a plaguicidas plaguicidas. La EPA piensa proponer cambios a la WPS para • no tener agua potable y tener que desempeñarse en fines del 2011 y Justicia Campesina está colaborando condiciones de trabajo insalubres estrechamente con los protectores de los trabajadores del • estar expuesto a sufrir lesiones musculoesqueletales agro para asegurarse de que las modificaciones incluyan debido a las largas horas de estar acurrucado, de levantar más capacitación para la seguridad del trabajador, más cosas pesadas y de estar cortando cosas protecciones para el trabajador y más formas de asegurar que • tener que usar maquinaria y equipos peligrosos, incluidos se cumpla lo que estipulan. tractores, escaleras y herramientas cortopunzantes • estar expuesto a la intemperie Justicia Campesina también está aumentando su labor para educar a los trabajadores a lo largo y ancho del país sobre los Pese a lo peligroso del trabajo y a la vulnerabilidad de los peligros en el trabajo y la prevención de enfermedades. Hace trabajadores, son pocas las leyes de seguridad y salud que poco recibimos una subvención Susan Harwood Capacity protegen al trabajador del agro. De hecho, algunas de las Building Grant de la misma OSHA, que tiene por fin de leyes pertinentes ¡concretamente excluyen al trabajador del educar a los trabajadores del agro sobre sus derechos según campo! Por ejemplo, la Ley de Seguridad y Salud las leyes de salud y seguridad ocupacionales y sobre la Ocupacionales (OSHA) contiene una gran cantidad de prevención de lesiones y enfermedades relacionadas con normas. Sin embargo, muchas normas de la OSHA no se plaguicidas, la insolación y las condiciones de trabajo aplican a los sitios de trabajo agrícolas, entre otras, los insalubres. Trabajaremos muy de cerca con tres entidades requisitos de seguridad en el uso de escaleras, las agrícolas (Campesinos Sin Fronteras, de Somerton, Arizona; protecciones contra la electrocución y la maquinaria sin el Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño protectores, los requisitos de informar a los empleados sobre de Fresno, California; y Mujeres Sin Fronteras, de Kinston, los peligros que podrían enfrentar, y las protecciones para Carolina del Norte) para ofrecer programas de extensión y las personas que sacan a la lluz del sol abusos que se han formación de trabajadores en esos tres estados. Mediante cometido. Sólo hay siete normas que se aplican a la labor nuestros esfuerzos en pro del trabajador del agro y la agrícola y estas tienen un valor limitado pues el Congreso ha educación comunitaria, esperamos tener un impacto en el prohibido que se designen fondos para el cumplimiento de la mejoramiento de los sitios de trabajo de los campesinos en ley OSHA en granjas que tengan menos de once empleados todo el país. • (a menos que la granja mantenga un campo activo para trabajadores temporales). Justicia Campesina se une a la iniciativa de liderazgo en la batalla contra el SIDA Justicia Campesina se complace en anunciar que nuestro muy bien evaluado trabajo relacionado con el VIH y el SIDA se ampli- ará gracias a una nueva subvención otorgada por CDC (o sea, los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). El proyecto será financiado por la iniciativa de liderazgo Act Against AIDS (conocida por las siglas de su nombre en inglés AAALI). Act Against AIDS es una campaña polifacética de comunicaciones que tiene por fin reconcentrar la atención nacional en la crisis del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y reducir la incidencia del VIH en Estados Unidos. Este año, los CDC crearon una iniciativa entre latinos para valerse de la fuerza y el alcance de las organizaciones latinas para crear más conciencia sobre el VIH, y para aumen- tar el nivel de conocimientos y la participación en las comunidades hispanas. La meta de la campaña entre latinos es aumentar las labores de prevención del VIH mediante la difusión de mensajes de prevención dentro de tales organizaciones que atiendan a la población hispana en toda clase de contextos, incluidos: el jurídico, la educación, la capacitación laboral y los sectores de inmi- grantes. Además de trabajar con la red de organizaciones ya establecida por Justicia Campesina, también colaboraremos con el Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR) y trabajaremos ampliamente con sus filiales. Justicia Campesina capacitará a las entidades en la manera de incluir los mensajes de prevención del VIH en las labores que ya realizan y les animará a participar en campañas de alcance nacional de prevención del VIH y el SIDA. Tanto el VIH como el SIDA afectan de manera desproporcionada a los lati- nos. Las cifras de los CDC para el año 2009 muestran que mientras que los latinos son el 13% de la población de Estados Undios, representan el 18% de las personas que viven con el VIH y el 17% de todas las infecciones nuevas (CDC, VIH y SIDA entre lati- nos. Detalles en www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/FactSheets.html). Para prevenir más infecciones de VIH, necesitamos canalizar la energía de todos los latinos, no sólo de las entidades que se dedican a trabajar con el VIH. Justicia Campesina se enorgullece de trabajar en esta iniciativa y ve con beneplácito su participación intensa con sus nuevos asociados en la batalla contra el VIH y el SIDA. • Farmworker Justice News • Vol. 25. No. 2 • Fall 2010 Page 11 Farmworker Justice plays a leadership role in advocacy for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the nation's capital. For twenty-nine years, FJ has been helping empower farmworkers to improve their wages and working conditions, labor and immigration policy, health and safety, and access to justice.

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