Dear Friends of New York State Family Farms,
Thank you to everyone who has donated or continues to give to this important campaign to ensure the rights of farmers and farmworkers alike.
Grow NY Farms has achieved real success. Partners across agriculture have supported a lawsuit that seeks fairness for all. The temporary restraining order we sought this winter in Western New York Federal Court was successful in securing the rights of farmers to be able to legally talk to their employees about collective bargaining. This also resulted in a change at the Public Employment Relations Board in the information they are seeking from labor unions. These victories for fairness matter!
But it isn’t over yet. We have appealed the other decisions that did not go our way. This includes securing additional rights for farmworkers and farmers. Under current law, farmworkers are being denied the collective bargaining rights that all other workers have in New York State. By taking action in court, New York’s agriculture industry aims to improve protections for farmworkers' rights by amending the FLFLPA to guarantee and protect the free speech and due process rights of farmworkers.
We strongly believe that certifying H2A employees as eligible participants in a collective bargaining agreement violates the federally mandated H2A guest worker agreements. Also, once guestworkers return to their home countries, they are no longer employees of the farm.
The additional legal arguments listed in the court documents impact all family farms with employees.
Violations of due process by PERB, including arbitrary interpretations and not allowing all the facts to be heard.
NO decertification process nor a right for farmworkers to vote on unionization.
PERB exceeding the authority granted to it by law.
We are hearing farmworkers are interested in joining with us, which will make a big difference. If you know additional farmworkers who may want to be a part of the lawsuit, let us know.
Also, we are asking for additional financial support for the appeal. It will be filed on May 30. New York State has until August 5 to respond. We knew this would be a long process, and a costly one. But we are making a difference. Please support the effort if you can.
Consider donating to help in this pressing effort. The outcome will help determine the future of family farming in New York State.
In addition, please share this letter with other farms, retired farmers, agribusinesses, and supporters of having a strong food system in this state. We need all the help we can get.
Checks made out to “Grow NY Farms” can be sent to 8351 Lewiston Rd #3-304, Batavia, NY 14020. You may email questions to grownewyorkfarms@gmail.com.
-------------------------------------------(Please include with donation)------------------------------------------------------
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Phone Number & Email:
Would you be willing to serve as a media spokesperson: YES or NO
Suggestions or Referrals to Reach Out to: