United Farm Workers of America endorse Kerry

[blm]

United Farm Workers of America Endorses John Kerry
Union Represents Thousands of Farm Workers across the Country

February  01,  2004

For Immediate Release
Washington, DC –
John Kerry today received the endorsement of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).  Founded by Cesar Chavez, the UFW represents thousands of farm workers in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Washington and Oregon.  The union backed Vice President Al Gore in 2000.

"The United Farm Workers proudly supports John Kerry for President because he shares our vision of helping Latinos and all people achieve the decent life America promises those who work hard for a living,” said UFW President Arturo S. Rodriguez.  “John Kerry has a long history with the UFW.  He participated in the grape boycott during the mid-1970s and has been with us ever since.  We are confident that once in the White House, John Kerry will build an America that truly acts on behalf of working people across the country.”

John Kerry has fought to raise the minimum wage, cosponsored bills to outlaw striker replacement and to provide workers with Family and Medical Leave to spend time with a new child or care for a family member. Kerry has a plan to achieve immigration reform that protects workers, their rights, and their wages.

“The United Farm Workers is at the forefront of the fight for workers rights, human rights, and social justice for all Americans. I am proud to stand with America’s farm workers,” said John Kerry. “With faith and discipline, with the amazing inner strength of leaders like Cesar Chavez, the UFW has fought for immigration reform and to protect the right to organize.  Together, we will continue that fight to protect workers, immigrants, and America’s Latino communities.”

John Kerry has long supported the rights of workers to organize and believes that a strong economy means ensuring that worker have fair pay, a safe work environment, and opportunities to move up a skill and wage ladder.  Earlier in the campaign, Kerry introduced a health care plan that will not only achieve universal coverage, but will reduce costs dramatically for working people by making the federal government responsible for the most expensive catastrophic illnesses, resulting in savings on insurance premiums.

[jmaier]

1. Congrats

That's a good endorsement.

[mikehiggins]

2. That is pathetic.

Cesar Chavez was a man who worked with Saul Alinsky before he began the UFW.

Alinsky would turn over in his grave at the thought of that group endorsing a candidate whose word isn't worth the air its written on.

How many farmworker's children are dying in Iraq?

<<edit: of course Alinsky didn't organise the UFW even though he, and lots of others like NYC's Jose Lopez helped out at various times. I don't want that to be misunderstood.)>>

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bornskeptic]

9. Or maybe

they know a lot more about John Kerry than you do.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

19. Unlike you I knew Ceasar Chavez, my father worked with him

He would be just fine with this decision.

[Zomby Woof]

21. Your father's word is good enough for me

I know what a great labor activist he was, and I trust your judgment on labor issues.

This is a major endorsement from one of the great unions.

[sandnsea]

4. More special interests!!!

Gads!! Nooo!!!!

(Seriously, I LOVE this endorsement. Kerry is excellent on migrant workers)

[MaineDem]

5. How many ways can this be twisted?

It's great news but I can just imagine some of the comments.

Thanks for the news. :)

[JohnKleeb]

6. Kerry paid them off

Thats what they will say. Thanks for the news, its good news.

[MaineDem]

8. I can just hear it now!

:eyes:

[JohnKleeb]

11. Yeah

Supposely Kerry paid me to get his support ;) too.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. It's funny you folks beat me to the joke!

[JohnKleeb]

16. Do you think he could get the miners

Is ole John Lewis's great union even still around. This union is a good endorsement, one of my favorites.

[sandnsea]

10. I was joking

Just in case you missed it. :-)

[MaineDem]

14. I got it

;)

I wasn't thinking about your post.

[chimpymustgo]

7. Congratulations. This one is quite meaningful.

nt

[nuxvomica]

13. Yeah, "meaningful" is the right word here

This makes me more positive about Kerry.

[JohnKleeb]

15. Thanks CMG

I know you are for Edwards, I'd like to congrad you on past sucess and sucess to come and the United Steelworkers of America endorsement, I have steelworker relatives.

[Old and In the Way]

17. Great news.

Kerry's on a roll! John's going to make a great President!

[JI7]

18. good one

good endorsement.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

20. It should help in AZ and NM

and, umm, CA -- isn't Dean's latest plan to start gaining momentum there? lol

[Hoppin_Mad]

22. Congrats - FYI Chavez' brother and Dolores Huerta endorse Dean

BAKERSFIELD, CA--Dolores C. Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) endorsed Governor Dean today, citing his commitment to a grassroots campaign to change American politics. She was joined in her endorsement by her long-time companion, Richard Chavez.

"I have watched Governor Dean's campaign with great interest, and I am proud today to join the other 552,000 Americans who are uniting to take the country back from powerful special interests. I have worked my entire life to empower people and give them a sense of ownership, and so it is natural that I am joining Governor Dean's campaign because it is based around the ideal that the power to govern comes from the people. Everyday, his campaign is demonstrating how individuals can unite to effect change at the highest levels of government," Dolores Huerta said. "Howard Dean is the man to bring democracy and the people back into the White House and American politics."

"For over forty years, I have fought alongside American workers to improve their lives and support their families. I know that Howard Dean recognizes the importance of our fight and will stand alongside us-as he has throughout his political career," said Richard Chavez, brother of famed workers' rights leader Cesar Chavez.

Governor Dean responded, "I am deeply honored to be endorsed today by Dolores Huerta and Richard Chavez. They are preeminent leaders in America's civil rights and labor movements. Throughout Dolores's and Richard's lives, they have fought selflessly for America's workers and immigrants, and their efforts have resulted in some of the 20th century's most important advancements in farm workers' rights."
Huerta is now First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO. She co-founded the UFW with Cesar Chavez in 1962, and together they organized the successful five-year boycott of California table grapes that resulted in the entire California industry signing a landmark three-year collective bargaining agreement with the UFW. Dolores is also remembered for coining the famous slogan, "Si se puede!" (Yes we can/It can be done!).

Dolores Huerta was also instrumental in lobbying for the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first law of its kind in the U.S. that grants farm workers the right to collectively organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions.

At age 73, Ms. Huerta continues to be very active in social justice issues and politics, serving on the University of California Board of Regents and the boards of the Feminist Majority and People for the American Way. She also runs her own foundation.

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We've just BEGUN to fight !