Published by United Farm Workers January 1986 Volume 3, Number 1 BOYCOTT EDITORIAL FOOD AND JUSTICE January 1986

Magazine of the United Farm Workers 01 Ameflca, AFL"CIO La Paz, Keene, CA 93570 Boycott Hopes Soar in Canada

®~ll During his grueling 28-day, 17­ Chavez met with Mayor National Executive Board: city, 4,000 mile coast-to-coast boy­ and the city council. The President" cott tour of Canada, Cesar Chavez council passed a unanimous resolu­ Cesal Chavez Secretary~Treasurer: didn't suffer from jet lag. The entire tion in support of the grape boycott Peter Velasco trip was made i'n a used '79 Olds 88. and Mayor Eggleton proclaimed Octo­ First Vice-President; Dolores Huerta But while Chavez kept his feet on ber 8 "Grape Boycott Day." "I urge all Second Vice-President the ground, hopes for success of the Torontonians not to buy grapes until Frank Ortiz Third Vice-President new international boycott of non­ legal protections are restored to Cali­ David Martinez UFW fresh grapes were flying high. fornia farm workers," the Mayor said. Members: Arturo Rodnguez In Toronto, Chavez watched res­ Thanking the council for its en­ Arturo Mendoza pectfully as the Canadian flag -- a red dorsement, Chavez said cLjtting off Oscar Mondragon maple leaf brilliant against a white California grape sales in Toronto was Sen Maddock background -- was slowly raised to important: "Toronto is the third-largest Editorial Board the top of the flagpole over City Hall market for fresh grapes in North Cesar Chavez, EdItor David Martinez, Associate Editor on October 8. America. You consume grapes at a Frank: Ortiz But the Canadian flag fluttered in rate far out of proportion to your Recent boycott tours of Texas and Canada Arturo Rodriguez the breeze for only a few moments almost three million population." (reported in this issue) provide heartwarming Arturo Mendoza Oscar Mondragon before it was slowly lowered. Then Chavez also noted that testimony to the mounting support people every­ Sen Maddock Chavez watched with pride as another buy 15 percent of the fresh grapes where are providing our new boycott of California Roberto de la Cruz Barbara Macri flag took the maple leafs place over produced in California and that fresh grapes.* Writer; Toronto for the rest of the day -- the Toronto, a.nd Montreal are Texans and Canadians responded by the Fr. Ken Irrgang black eagle emblem of the United three of the 10 largest markets in the thousands enthusiastically to our boycott mes­ Photographer: Victor Aleman Farm Workers of America. world for west coast produce. "You sage. We also attracted extensive press coverage Production Director: for the grape boycott in every city and town we Paul Chavez visited. The threats posed to farm workers and consumers by the pesticide poisoning of grapes was a special source of interest and concern. Food and Justice (ISSN 0885-0704) is published People are shocked to learn that farm wor­ monthly for $5 per year by kers are being just as badly abused today as they the United Farm Workers of America, AFL·CIO, Old were before California's farm labor law was passed Highway 58, La Paz, Califor· in 1975. They are angered to learn how law-and­ nia 93570. Application to mall at second·class post· order Gov. George Deukmejian refuses to enforce age rates is pending at the law enacted 10 years ago to protect farm Keene, California. POSTMASTER: Send address workers. changes to: There are other signs the boycott is working. Food and Justice Grape prices are down to 39¢ a pound...and even La Paz, CA 93570. lower in some areas. Cold storage facilities are crammed with unsold grapes. One grape producer recently told a member of the UFW's executive board: "We were positive you guys could never pull off another successful boycott. But we're hurting already." Y Fifteen Members ofParliament from the three majorpoliticalparties pledgedsupport for grape boycott in the House of Commons in , the capital of Canada. 4except the 3% of grapes produced under UFW contract 2 3 use "Merci beaucoups!" The Quebec came from making the long and Federation of Labor, the Montreal arduous trip across Canada by car -­ Central Labor Council, the Loyola staying in people's homes and visiting Jesuit Community, the MontrearCiti­ with them in restaurants, gas stations, zens Movement, the United Food and and drug stores. He took note of the Commercial Workers, the Teachers special concern the Canadian people Union, the Confederation of National and government have for the suffering Trade Unions, the Social Justice Com­ and oppressed outside the nation's mittee of the Archdiocese of Montreal, borders. "We farm workers, certainly, and other groups and individuals all but the down and out in other coun­ expressed support for the boycott. tries, too, are grateful there are such people as Canadians -- you give us Canadians expressing support for the grape boycott. The People hope:' he said. Arturo Rodriguez, a UFW national The month-long journey covered can see why your help was so impor­ Columbia, farm workers risk their lives executive board member who accom­ large and small cities in nearly all of tant in our previous boycott victories by working with toxic pesticides:' panied Chavez on the trip, said the the 10 provinces of the second-largest and why we have come back to ask he said. friendliness and hospitality shown in country in the world. you to help us again," he said. Vancouver were impressive but not Chavez stopped to promote the Parliament unique. "Everywhere we went:' he boycott in the provinces of British Vancouver In Ottawa, the nation's capital, said, "people made their resources Columbia (Vancouver); Alberta (over Chavez' extended tour of Canada the boycott produced a rare display of available to us and threw open their the Rockies to Edmonton, Red Deer, got off to an impressive start in Van­ unity when 15 Membe s of Parliament homes to us." and Calgary); (Saska­ couver, where leaders of major labor representing the three major Canadian In a speech in London, , toon and Regina); Manitoba (Winni­ organizations pledged substantial sup­ political parties -- Liberal, Conserva­ Chavez also spoke of the rewards that peg); Ontario (Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. port. Dennis McDermott, president of tive, and New Democrats -- appeared the Canadian Labour Congress which with Chavez at a Parliament Hill press has championed the farm workers' conference and signed a huge pledge cause for almost 20 years, provided card supporting the boycott. staff and resource support for Chavez' The same day, Rod Murphy, Canadian tour. In addition, McDermott Member of Parliament from Churchill, agreed to Chavez' request to spearhead addressed the House of Commons: "I a fact-finding group which will travel hope all Members of this House will to California and investigate abuses take the lead in encouraging Canadians against farm workers by growers and to support this cause" on behalf of the Deukmejian administration. California grape workers who "con­ Art Kube, president of the British tinue to be fired, coerced and abused Columbia Federation of Labour, ex­ by the corporate grape growers." Even though Chavez himself could pressed solid support for California Art Kube, president of the British Columbia farm workers: "Your struggle has barely manage a heavily accented Federation ofLabour (second from left, back always been our struggle and we will Mexican American "Bon joursl" in pre­ row), and Raj Chouhan, president of the stand with you now as we have since dominantly French-speaking Quebec, Canadian Farm Workers Union (second from the earliest days of 'Ia causa.' " friends and supporters translated the left, front row), and other labor leaders wel­ comed Chavez and UFW National Executive Raj Chouhan, president of the boycott message throughout Montreal Board Member Arturo Rodriguez (extreme Canadian Farm Workers Union, pro­ and the rest of the province: "Boy­ left, front row) to Vancouver. mised to join the UFW in its war on cottons des raisins de table de la pesticides, which is also a problem in Californie!" Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton (with handraised Canada. "From the grape fields of Montreal residents provided many at podium) and City Council members vote Delano to the apple orchards of British opportunities for Chavez to learn and to endorse the UFW grape boycott. 4 5 TESTIMONIAL

Marie, Sudbury, London, Hamilton, In addition to innumerable individual endorse­ Toronto, and Ottawa); Quebec (Mon­ ments, the following Canadian orgilnizations Canadians Speak Out on the Boycott treal); and Nova Scotia (Halifax). endorsed the boycott: Alberta Provincial Council of Solidarity SaFldwiched between Toronto and Canadian Farm Workers Union Ottawa was a two-day side-trip to Canadian Labour Congress Sam Saumur. London, Ontario: Chicago, where Chavez met with Canadian Union of Public Employees I was in California a couple times and saw the Confederation of National Trade Unions injustices grape workers endure. We have to Mayor Harold Washington. Wash­ District Labour Councils of Calgary, Edmonton, fight against injustice wherever it's found. ington presented him with the key to Halifax, Hamilton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, the city, praised the UFW leader for Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, Sault Ste. Marie, publicizing the dangers of pesticide Sudbury, Thunder 'Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Mayor Art Eggleton, Toronto: Winnipeg The farm workers cause is absolutely just. We poisoning to farm workers and con­ Federations of Labour of Alberta, British Columbia, boycotted for them before to improve their sumers, and pledged support for the Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, conditions and we will do it now or any time grape boycott.Y Saskatchewan in the future when they need our help. Hamilton Mayor Bob Morrow and City Council Manitoba Sam Saumur Mayor Art Eggleton Members of Parliament: Charles Caccia, Mike Beth Seeman, Winnipeg: Cassidy, Simon de Jong, Suzanne Duplessis, Working people have to stick together. We Ernie Epp, Jirn Fulton, Dan Heap, Stan Hovdebo, want to help farm workers win the boycott so Rod Murphy, , Andre Ouellet, Keith they get the respect they have coming. Penner, John Parry, Alan Redway, Nelson Riis, Svend Robinson National Farmers Union Mike MacIsaac, Winnipeg: National Teachers Union I support the boycott because ofthe repression Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar and City Council farm workers sClII suffer down in California. It's Social Justice Commission, Archdiocese of Edmonton a shame they have to keep boycotting to get what they have a right to by law. The 79 Olds 88 that carried Cesar Chavez Toronto Mayor Art Eggleton and City Council across the length ofCanada. Vancouver Mayor Michael Harcourt Beth Seeman Ralph Ortlieb, Georgetown: Mike MacIsaac Wherever people are treated badly by their employers, I'm gonna be there if I can. I've followed the farm workers' battles closely over the years and I'll stick with 'em 'til the day I die,

Deborah Burke, Ottawa: I'm all for a boycott when the law won't work andmanagement won't bargain in good faith. We won't eat grapes again unClI we hear farm workers have their rights restored.

Ralph Ortlieb Raymond Murray, London, Ontario: Deborah Burke I'm all for the boycott because sometimes it's the only way people on the low end of the economic scale can band together to better themselves. We'll boycott grapes ClII we hear they've won.

Michael Lyons, Toronto: As a member ofthe Labor movement, we have a responsibility to support all the efforts of people anywhere in the world to live in decency and equality. We're with the farm workers of Cesar Chavez spent two days in Chicago promoting the boycott. Mayor Harold California till their efforts are successful. Washington presented the key to the city and pledged support for the grape boycott. Raymond Murray Michael Lyons 6 7 ISSUES

Deukmejian's Prosecutor Uses State Position to Lobby f~r Growers Against Grape Boycott

A political appointee of Gov. boycott at a national religious meeting Stirling never had any impartiality to "We strongly urge Mr. Stirling to George Deukmejian whose job it is to in October. jeopardize." cease his personal attacks on Mr. impartially rule on disputes between He has shown no regret for what 1 Jerome Waldie, a member of the Chavez ...and, instead, to return to his growers and farm workers is using has been widely criticized as a stark ALRB, said Stirling's "public statement proper duties: scrupulously adminis­ taxpayer funds to lobby against the display of pro-grower bias and a mis­ of contempt for the UFW and its tering the farm labor law with a fairness UFW's fresh grape boycott on behalf use of public money. "I used some of officers on issues unrelated to the and balance that respects the rights of affected growers. your money to go back and do this," agency make ludicrous his contention and dignity of farm workers as much "I fully support what Dave Stirling Stirling told a Sacramento luncheon that he is just carrying out the man­ as their employers," they wrote. has done," Deukmejian told reporters audience. The ALRB's chief counsel date given to him by the governor to Ironically, in the midst of demands in defending the actions of the man said he acted with Deukmejian's make the agency balanced, even­ for his firing and criticism for being he appointed as general counsel -- or "knowledge and approval." handed and professional." prejudiced, Stirling announced his chief prosecutor -- of the state Agri­ Stirling also used taxpayer funds Eight members of Stirling's own intention to explore the possibility of cultural Labor Relations Board. to send letters to U.S. and Canadian staff at the regional ALRB office in running for the Republican nomination Stirling, a former Republican governors and mayors, members of Salinas disassociated themselves from for state attorney general in 1986. state lawmaker, used state funds to California's congressional delegation, his anti-UFW lobbying. In a strongly "The major factor," Stirling told repor­ pay for a plane trip to Washington, and religious groups urging them not worded letter of protest, the group ters, "is whether enough money can D.C. where he opposed the grape to support the UFW's boycott. stated, "We are alarmed that this be raised" for his campaign.Y agency's chief prosecutor would both Fire Stirling interject himself into the table grape The Los Angeles Times said boycott and launch a vicious personal Deukmejian should dismiss Stirling attack against the president of an because he is incapable of being fair agricultural union." and neutral. So did two groups of religious leaders (see story on page 10). Bishop Calls for Probe The Times said Gov. Deukmejian Catholic Bishop Juan Arzube, should "start looking for a replace­ auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of ment (for Stirling) who will be fair and Los Angeles, took exception to Stirling's neutral. .." By taking management's ,t claim that he is operating the ALRB side and attacking Chavez and the "in a fair and balanced fashion": UFW, the newspaper said, "Stirling "How can Mr. Stirling possibly make has badly undermined his ability to this statement after attacking Cesar appear impartial, and therefore his Chavez and the UFW so vehemently .. ? ability to be effective." "I sincerely believe an investiga­ The Sacramento Bee, in an tion should be made as to his suitability editorial entitled "Dave Stirling, Boy­ to occupy his present position," Bishop cott Buster," responded to Stirling's Arzube said. argument that his anti-boycott actions Three other Los Angeles religious would not jeopardize his impartiality leaders -- Episcopalian Bishop Oliver when handling farm labor law viola­ Garver, Rabbi Sidney Jacobs, and Fr. tions: "That's bunk," the Bee stated, Luis Olivares -- also protested the Governor George Deukmejian "unless, of course, one believes that Deukmejian administration's bias. Dave Stirling 8 9 ISSUES BOYCOTT

Religious leaders Urge Deukmejian to Fire Farm labor Board Chief Boycott Takes Off in Texas

Two ecumenical religious groups They were upset with Stirling for In September the boycott of non­ supporters at the Minyard Supermar­ recently joined the rising chorus of two reasons. First, he viciously at­ UFW California fresh grapes received ket in Dallas and was delighted to find angry criticism of Dave Stirling, general tacked farm labor leader Cesar Chavez another big boost. Big -- as in Texas! the price of grapes as low in Texas as counsel of the Agricultural Labor Rela­ and the grape boycott in by-line article United Farm Workers President in California: "Everywhere we go, tions Board, and strongly urged Gov. in The Los Angeles Times on Sep­ Cesar Chavez reaped a rich harvest of grape prices are down. The boycott George Deukmejian to fire him. tember 24. Then, in October, he used support for the grape boycott during is working." Los Angeles' Catholic Archbishop agency funds to fly to Washington, a 10-day tour of five major Texas cities: Chavez met with the Dallas Roger M. Mahoney led the list of eight D.C. to lobby the board of the United Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, Central Labor Council, visited with major religious leaders in Southern Methodist Church of Christ against and San Antonio. Catholic Bishop Joseph Delaney of California who wrote to Gov. Deukme­ the grape boycott. The first stop was the Dallas-Fort Fort Worth and Bishop Thomas jian in early November: "(Stirling) has Two weeks earlier, an ecumenical Worth area. Chavez marched with Tschoepe of Dallas. He was inter- proved publicly that he does not meet group from Northern California ex­ the basic requirements for impartiality pressed their anger in a letter to Gov. or objectivity, and we strongly urge Deukmejian: "In particular, we are you to dismiss him." outraged by the General Counsel's trip -- at taxpayers' expense -- to Washing­ ton, D.C. to lobby against the boycott." According to Bishop Leontine Kelley of the United Methodist Church, Stirling threatened the Methodist board with a lawsuit if it voted to support the boycott. In addition, the clergy officials wrote, "Mr. Stirling is usiOg taxpayer dollars to blitz religious leaders.. .with letters attacking the United Farm Workers...and opposing the boycott." Stirling was unmoved by the criticism. "Churches ought not to be involved in political activity," he said. y

Catholic Archbishop Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles served as first chairman of the The boycottis working! California fresh grapes are down to 39 cents andlowerin San Antonio, Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Texas and in other parts of the country. 10 11 PESTICIDES viewed by reporters and editors from editors of The Houston Post and The Dr. Marion Moses' "Deadly Dozen" Pesticide Series the major daily newspapers and the Houston Chronicle. He appeared on religious press, and he appeared on radio and TV shows, and spoke to radio and TV news programs. groups of supporters, including stu­ CAPTAN At the law library on the Southern dents at the University of Houston. He Methodist University campus Chavez also met with Galveston-Houston pesticides she may have been exposed emphasized the need for better pro­ Bishop John E. McCarthy and other to, is structurally similar to Thalidomide, the sedative drug used by pregnant tection for farm workers and consu­ religious leaders. women in Europe in the early 1960s mers from growers' reckless use of At an evening reception and fund­ dangerous pesticides. "In California," raiser in the Machinists Union Hall, that caused thousands of infants to be he said, "we have a governor who Chavez thanked Houstonians for their born without arms or legs. vetoed a field posting bill to warn farm support of the grape boycott. "The 28 million pounds of Captan are workers of pesticide dangers because boycott is not a popularity contest:' estimated to be used annually in the the growers said it would be too costly he said. "It's an economic program. world, one-third of it in the U.S. alone. for them to buy the signs." We just want to get enough people In California in 1983, about one million In Austin, city and county officials to stop buying grapes so we can force pounds were used in agriculture with joined Chavez at a news conference growers to obey the farm labor law the biggest use being on grapes at the University of Texas. They an­ and Gov. George Deukmejian will (344,243 IbsJ In the rest of the U.S. nounced unanimous endorsements of enforce it when they don't." major use is on apples and potatoes. the grape boycott by both the Austin In San Antonio, where Chavez' There are also many formulations for City Council and the Travis County lO-day tour of Texas ended, Mayor home and garden use. Captan is the Commissioners. Henry Cisneros led a list of individuals major fungicide in wallpaper paste and Later, at a fundraiser at the Austin and organizations which endorsed the in oil-based paints. It is used in the Opera House attended by more than boycott. Describing Chavez as "one of treatment of vinyl-coated textiles such 300 UFW supporters -- including the greatest figures of our time:' as mattress covers, mats, curtains, etc. It is also used in cosmetics, pharma­ former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ray Cisneros said, "It's a pleasure to lend Dr. Marion Moses. Marshall and key religious, labor, com­ my support to the boycott." ceuticals, and shampoos. munity, and political leaders -- Chavez At a picket line at a Handy Andy's In 1977, there was a big scandal outlined the three important goals of store, Chavez found everything to his Captan, one of the most widely when it was discovered that Industrial the current grape boycott: free and liking -- the number of supporters high used fungicides in the world, is a carci­ Biotest Laboratories (IBT) had sent fair elections, good-faith bargaining by and the price of grapes low. After a nogen, teratogen (causes birth defects) fraudulent data to EPA in support of growers and protection of both farm steady stream of media appearances, and a mutagen (causes changes in 100 pesticide registrations. Captan workers and consumers from deadly a speech at St. Mary's University, and genetic material) and its residues con­ was among them and none of its 12 pesticides. a reception at the Communication taminate fruits and vegetables all over tests were valid. This meant that the Chavez met in Houston with the Workers Hall, Chavez returned to the world. Because it is not acutely NOEL (no observable effect level) used California. toxic, i.e. it does not cause immediate in the "scientific" determination was Accompanying Chavez were Arturo and obvious harm, it has been consi­ also fraudulent. Rodriguez, UFW national executive dered to be a "safe" pesticide. The U.S. government did nothing board member, and UFW Texas Direc­ Chemicals SUdVclS Captan that are about the tolerance level or the maxi­ tor Rebecca Flores Harrington. Y considered safe in the short term may mum allowable residue on marketed be the most hazardous of all in terms food in spite of these findings. How­ of chronic effects such as cancer and ever, Canada reduced their tolerance birth defects We know of a child born to 5 ppm on grapes, and Sweden to without arms and legs whose mother 15 ppm. In the US. 50 ppm remains worked during the first three months the tolerance on grapes. Captan is the of her pregnancy picking grapes known pesticide found most frequently in Texas farm workers in solidarity with Califor­ to have been sprayed with teratogenic residue testing of grapes. nia farm workers. pesticides. Captan, which is one of the Allowable residues of Captan on 12 13 You Can Help Stop the Traged~ of Pesticide Poisoning fruits and vegetables in the U.S. are sense if the person eating the product among the highest in the world. EPA is an infant, a sick person, or an elderly has bowed to industry pressure to allow person with many other health prob­ continued use on food crops although lems. It is as if the shoe size of everyone Amalia Larios, 3, was it poses an unacceptable risk to human were measured and then an "average" born with a piece of health. An assumption is made that size shoe would be produced for all spine missing because there is such a thing as a "safe" level consumers. of pesticides her parents of exposure to a carcinogen. Other Captan is a good example of how believe they were ex­ federal law prohibits any amount of a public health concerns are given short posed to when they carcinogenic additive to be used on shrift in regulatory decision making. worked in San Joaqui food (1956 Delaney amendment to Why should decisions about residues Valley fields. Doctors Food Drug and Cosmetic Act). The of carcinogens and teratogens in the say Amalia will never, Occupational Health and Safety Admi­ food supply be based mainly on the walk. She is paralyze nistration (OSHA) and the Consumer economic impact on the agricultural from the waist down. Product Safety Commission do not and chemical industry and not prima­ You can help farm recognize any safe level of a carcinogen. rily on considerations of human health workers and their child­ The setting of tolerances on food and safety? Y ren battle pesticide also doesn't take into account the con­ abuse by boycotting siderable regional, ethnic, and age (Dr. Moses recently returned from lec­ California fresh grapes'. differences in eating patterns. Nor are turing in Ballentina, Ecuador at a week-long international seminar on "Safety and Take a moment to send possible synergistic effects of concur­ in your boycott pledge, rent intake of other pesticide residues, Health in Agriculture: Use ofPestiCides and Effects on Human Health" sponsored by an endorsement from pollutants in water (some of which are the International Federation of Plantation, your group, and the also pesticides), drugs etc. Basing Agricultural and Allied Workers. Represen­ names of people we intake on how much an "average" tatives ofagricultural workers from 73 Latin can contact to spread American eats doesn't make much American countries attended.) our boycott message. r------,·except the 3% of grapes produced under UFW contract (detach and return to;) Cesar Chavez, La Paz, CA 93570

Dear Cesar Chavez: D I pledge to boycott California fresh grapes*. D Enclosed is my group's endorsement of the boycott. D Enclosed are addresses of people who I know will join the grape boycott if they are contacted.

Sincerely, Name __~--:--:------­ (please print) Address _ City/State/Zip Applying pesticides by helicopter in California. ------14 15 Fifteen members of Parliament from the three major political parties in Canada pledged to support the California fresh grape boycott during Cesar Chavez's visit to Ottawa, the nation's capitol. Four of the MPs who signed the pledge are (left to right) Nelson Riis (New Democratic Party), Andre Ouellet (Liberal), and Alan Pedway (Progressive Conservative), To Chavez's right is Richard Mercier, executive vice-president of the Canadian labour Congress.

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