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the union |
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union contract |
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Many people assume that unions are
appropriate only where working conditions
are so bad that workers need protection from
their employer. While this is obviously true in
many cases, our approach from the beginning
has been a non-adversarial outlook toward
unions. One of Jim’s grandfathers was a
union man, and the other was a small
businessman. He grew up admiring both men,
and was naturally inclined to bring their two
philosophies together into a partnership
rather than in an adversarial relationship.
The existence of a Union contract formalizes
our commitment to the human side of the
farming equation, much as the process of
organic certification formalizes our
commitment to a set of farming practices.
It sets out an extensive system to which
both parties agree, and provides us with
an operating framework, which goes
beyond the informal goodwill of an employer.
As we know from the history of political
movements, a “benevolent” king can be
followed by a not-so-benevolent king. From
the Magna Carta forward, ordinary people
have come to require that their leaders
follow certain standards of conduct, which
protect their rights. A Union contract serves
that function.
Moreover, the Union contract has an important psychological effect on farm workers. They begin to see themselves as professionals, rather than as “cogs” in a system. They begin to feel empowered to have some level of control over their work environment. And by being part of a larger network of workers, they come to have a sense of their important role in society.
Swanton Berry Farm, P.O. Box 308, Davenport, CA 95017 | (831)469-8804 | Web Design: Dov Bock © 2005