Can you imagine, Jeb Bush has awakened to the reality of farmworker deprivation.
The Sarasota Herald Tribune of March 9, 2004 tells us that he is backing legislation
introduced into the House by Rep. Ralph Poppell , Republican from Titusville, who said:
“It is critical that we do what is necessary to … defend the rights of migrant workers and
farmers and shield them from the actions of unethical labor contractors”. SHT says: “Bush
said he hopes the new proposal (HB1307) will make life better for migrants, who have been
routinely exploited by some farm owners and labor contractors. It has provisions allowing
for easier reporting by workers of violations or abuses, plus it expands pesticide-awareness
provisions”.
I would like to think that all the efforts made to push through similar legislation last year which
eventually died in committee finally resonated in Tallahassee where it dawned on some that
political gains could be harvested this year of elections if one suddenly becomes a champion
of the oppressed. No matter the motive. Destiny seems to be taking a hand. But let us thank
the Tallahassee-based Migrant Farm Worker Project, led by its director Rob Williams who will
be the speaker at our forthcoming Forum No. 2: Immigration and the Farmworker: The AgJobs Bill”
on April 3rd, 2pm at Selby Library. And remember the march on Tallahassee by farmworkers asking
for the Governor’s assistance in arbitrating a wage increase with the growers last year that Gov. Bush
spurned by not addressing.
But let us give credit to SMFS and friends who organized a picket line in front of the Trail Motel and
Mobile Home Park in Bradenton which brought forth many residents to protest their conditions. Our
first Forum on February 7th followed up on this picket action with testimony by residents at Selby Library
in “A Day in the Life of a Farmworker”. The heart of the fight at the Trailer Homes was led by Joan Mahon,
social worker and advocate; John Dubrule, an attorney from Gulfcoast Legal Services representing several
families; Charles Elsesser, an attorney for Florida Legal Services; Luz Corcuera, Program Development Director
of Healthy Start Coalition of Manatee County; the Latino Community Network’s Advocacy Committee; and so
many others who stood by the farmworkers in their still continuing ordeal. It seems to me that the Commissioners
of Bradenton County were galvanized into acceding to moneys for relocation to be granted to evicted trailer
residents as the spotlight of public attention was shined on their hearings.
There is a ripple effect to these picketings, marches, forums, legal actions, lobbying, speaking
up at hearings that does indeed count. We got Bradenton and Tallahassee’s attention. Who knows?
We may even get Washington’s attention on the AgJobs Bill.
Marvin Mills
Vice-president