Hundreds of workers to go to Sacramento this Monday, Aug. 18 to lobby to protect themselves from the heat.
You can help!

This Monday, August 18, more than 800 farm workers from throughout California want to go to Sacramento. They want the chance to tell the governor and their elected officials to support AB2386, "Secret Ballot Elections for Farmworkers" (D-Nunez) which has moved out of the assembly and which will be voted on that afternoon in the state senate.

Six farm workers deaths are being or have been investigated because of heat-related causes since May. This brings to 15 the number of farm workers whose death have been investigated as heat-related since CA Governor Schwarzenegger took office. These recent deaths make it clear the state does not have the capacity to protect farm workers. As California's summer sizzles we must do everything we can to ensure that no more farm workers fall victim to the heat because the laws written to protect them are not enforced.

The vital legislation that Nunez has introduced--and the workers want to go to Sacramento and lobby for--protects farm workers' right to a secret ballot election and will make it easier for farm workers to organize and enforce the laws that the state cannot enforce.

Your donation can help us rent 14 buses, additional vans, plus pay for food and other supplies which will cost in excess of $31,770 for the day. There is nothing more powerful than hearing a farm worker story face-to-face, especially to lawmakers.

Doroteo Jimenez, grape worker and uncle of farm worker who died in May because of the heat.
I want to go to Sacramento and speak to the legislators. My niece Maria Isabel died because growers treat us like tools instead of like people. I spoke up and I was unjustly fired. This needs to change now. I don't want to see other families suffer like our family has. This bill can change farm workers' lives for the better. Please help us.

Margarita Hernandez, grape worker
The reason for me to go to Sacramento is because I want changes in the working conditions at my job and the other companies. In the place where I work, Sun Pacific, we don't have shade and the drinking water is without ice until 9 am—though they know that by that hour it is already hot. There have been people have felt sick from the heat and the company people always ask if they feel bad because of something they ate...I feel there is no respect for the farm worker, even though many farm workers have died. The companies don't change their treatment towards the farm workers. That is why I am going to Sacramento. I have the hope that one day, we will be treated better.

Just to rent the buses and vans needed, will cost $26,570 and that does not cover the food and other supplies needed. We hope our internet supporters would contribute $5,510 towards this expense. This will cover the transportation costs of 140 workers at $39.36 per worker.

Can you make sure Doroteo, Margarita and others get seats on the bus? 

Please make your donation today!

https://secure.ga6.org/08/lobbyday08
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PS: If you live in the area, please join us at the Capitol from 10-4. 
Also, if you are in the Sacramento area Monday, August 18 at 7 pm, you are invited to attend a special screening of a new film, California's Harvest of Shame--a short film showing the realities of life in the fields in 2008. You must RSVP to attend. To RSVP click to send an e-mail to or call (916) 319-2046. Click more information.

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For continuous updates on this issue, including news clips, press statements, videos, photos, etc., go to:  www.ufw.org/heatregs
Check out our website at: www.ufw.org and keep up with the latest news.

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