Solution to Farm Fight
In his Labor column, Harry Bernstein defends the “enigmatic” (his word, not mine) position of the United Farm Workers that would eliminate funding for the Agriculture Labor Relations Board. Such a course would be contrary to the basic principles of good government and create havoc for growers and workers alike. There would remain a law without an agency to administer that law. The only recourse would be an already overburdened judicial system.
Under present law (that would remain), agricultural labor unions must be certified winners of a secret-ballot election to represent workers and labor contracts absent this legal criteria would be illegal. The heyday of the UFW came before there was a law and Chavez wants to operate beyond the law. We don’t. If there is a change, why not place agriculture workers under the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act? That would remove most of the state’s legislative fights and give agriculture workers the same rights as other workers.
EDWARD H. THOMAS
Executive Manager
South Central Farmers Committee
Delano
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
