Migrants to protest against Burger King in Sarasota

By MAURA POSSLEY

A band of Florida farmworkers and supporters plans to take to Sarasota streets this weekend to protest fast food giant Burger King in their yearslong campaign for fair wages and treatment.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers kicks off its statewide tour Saturday to gain support and spread the word of its movement to better the lives of migrant farmworkers here.

"Conditions that we face are basically something that you could compare to conditions of sweatshops," said Gerardo Reyes, a coalition member who is a farmworker in Immokalee.

The group is asking Burger King to enter into an agreement to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes. Tomatoes would be traced back to their pickers, who would be paid the increased amount directly.

Tomato pickers are typically paid 40 to 45 cents per 32-pound bucket of the fruit.

The group also is asking the fast food giant to adapt a code of conduct for treatment of workers. Supporters say farmworkers lack basic rights that other U.S. workers are given, such as benefits, sick time, overtime pay and the right to organize.

In more extreme cases, the group says workers are forced to labor in the fields at gunpoint or at the threat of physical violence.

"It doesn't matter what your demands are of the agriculture industry, they are not forced to sit at the table and have dialogue with you," Reyes said.

The organization has previously entered into agreements with McDonald's and Yum Brands, which includes fast food restaurants such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.

Burger King says it has not found validity in the coalition's allegations.

The company questions whether the previous agreements have been implemented and how to ensure the additional dollars are directly given to workers. Steven Grover, restaurant spokesman, said it already has a code of conduct.

Burger King has suggested other offers over the past three years that the two sides have battled, Grover said, such as donations to workers to provide housing or legal assistance and to hire farmworkers at the company's fast food locations.

"I'm almost absolutely convinced a penny a pound going into who knows where is not going to solve these issues," he said. "There is no evidence that this money is getting to any workers."

Grover questioned whether the increase would solve the problem if the allegations are true.

"If there are abuses going on, I think it's important to single those growers out," Grover said. "That's the most effective thing we can do as a company."

Speaking for the state's tomato growers, including those in Manatee County, Reggie Brown, Florida Tomato Growers Exchange executive vice president, said the organization would not take part in the coalition's demands.

Independent audits have been conducted during the past two years at the state's tomato farms and have kept the environment safe for workers, Brown said.

"It's unfortunate that there's credibility given to the accusations that in our opinion are totally groundless," he said.

An analysis by the exchange of farmworker wages, Brown said, reveals they are paid $12.46 per hour.

"We're committed to doing the right thing," he said.

But coalition supporters say wages paid to farmworkers vary drastically. They say workers earn about $10,000 per year.

"The status quo in Florida agriculture is horrific," said Jordan Buckley with Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida. "The companies that are profiting from farmworkers' subpoverty wages and human rights abuses in the fields need to be held accountable because, after all, they're the ones profiting the most."

The coalition will be hosting an educational picnic at 6 p.m. Saturday at New College, 5800 Bay Shore Road, followed by a protest at 1:30 p.m. Sunday outside a Burger King at 2808 N. Tamiami Trail.

A Monday protest in St. Petersburg also is scheduled.