Farmworkers are on strike! As of yesterday, workers at over six farms and packing companies have been on strike for their health and dignity in the greater Yakima and Tri-Cities areas of Washington. The union Familias Unidas por la Justicia (FUJ / “Families United for Justice”) is organizing on the ground with worker-led demands.
Recent workplace guidelines sided with bosses to continue using cramped bunkbed housing at many farms and processing plants. These rules go into effect today. Isolation during COVID-19 is not possible under those conditions. The demands from farmworkers are:
✅ Farmworkers need protective gear. Personal protective equipment, including properly fitting masks, face shields, and gloves aren’t reliably available or in the sizes needed.
✅ Cramped, bunkhousing is a disaster waiting to happen. We can’t afford to wait-and-see on this issue. Emergency housing is needed, whether shelters and/or use of hotels to ensure social distancing on and off site.
✅ Scale up monitoring and enforcement against bosses. Monitoring and enforcement of the housing rules have not been scaled up during the crisis.
✅ Protect pay and employment status. Paid time off protections to prevent disruption to employment status and pay, esp. vital to H-2A agricultural workers.
✅ Hazard pay to ensure those willing to take on this needed work have the resources they need to care for their families.
How can I help?
We've put together a wide range of actions, ranging from mask-making for Yakima and Tri-cities farmworkers, directly donating to FUJ and striking workers, contacting state agencies, legislature, and the governor's office. We've prepared scripted talking points relevant to each agency and their number. It's time to support our comrades in full-force!
Stand in solidarity with the striking farmworkers!
In solidarity,
Seattle DSA
Attend our Bigger than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism panel
Later this week, be sure to join Seattle DSA for a panel with Jacobin’s Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht, authors of Bigger than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism. We’ll discuss the importance of building socialist organizations, how we bring Bernie supporters into our movement, and what we can do not to “demobilize” in the wake of Bernie dropping out.
Time: May 19 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Venue: Virtual, WA
Since January, the Tax Amazon coalition has been fighting for Seattle to pass a tax on the 800 richest corporations to provide immediate covid relief to Seattleites and to fund the construction of union-built green housing and home retrofitting, putting thousands of people back to work after covid. The recent move by the City Council to delay discussing this legislation means we can’t rely on them to stand up to big business. We need to go all out to get the Amazon tax for green homes and green jobs on the November ballot and take the matter directly to the voters! Seattle DSA’s campaign as part of the Tax Amazon coalition is called Green New Homes because that’s what we’re fighting for. We have until approximately July 1 to help the coalition collect 21k valid signatures. [Read more]
Time: May 17 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Venue: Virtual, WA
We pursue a fair and effective Green New Deal to halt climate change and win environmental justice. We explore ecosocialist theory, and are developing a campaign for fare-free transit. Join us via zoom link below and by emailing [email protected] for password (or see [Read More]
Time: May 20 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Venue: Online (Zoom Call)
Does your building management take too long to make repairs? Are you concerned that your lease could be illegal? Does your landlord charge you too much rent? You’re not alone. The Tenant Organizing Collective is a group
[Read More]
Time: May 20 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue: Online
Due to coronavirus, we'll be meeting online. Join us on Google Hangouts Are you frustrated that you don't have a voice at work? Are you a freelancer who [Read More]
Time: May 21 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Venue: Virtual. RSVP for details
Join Seattle DSA for a panel with Jacobin’s Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht, authors of Bigger than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism. We’ll discuss the importance of building socialist organizations, how we bring Bernie supporters into our movement, and what we can do not to “demobilize” in the wake of Bernie dropping out.
The panel is on Thursday, May 21st from 6 – 7:30 PM.
This is a virtual event. Please RSVP here. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to connect. We can’t wait to see you! [Read More]
