SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

December 6, 2007

Migrant workers settle labor lawsuits

BROWNSVILLE — An Iowa-based seed corn producer has agreed to an $81,000 settlement with migrant workers who claimed the company and its labor agent shortchanged them on wages and bonuses.

The lawsuit filed by 27 Cameron County workers in June 2006 also alleged that Pioneer Hi-Bred International provided substandard housing and unsafe transportation.

The case stemmed from the workers' employment in Indiana during the summer of 2005.

The workers said agent Francisco Coronado lured them to Indiana with false promises of lucrative wages and a large end-of-season bonus.

Settled in mediation on Saturday, it was Pioneer's second settlement of a suit by workers represented by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid in as many months.