Take Action!
update on CIW with McDonald's 11/13/2006
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW's) October McDonald's MiniTour was a huge success! Interfaith Action staff and CIW members spoke to hundreds if not thousands of people of faith in the Chicago area to raise awareness about McDonald's opportunity to improve farmworker wages and conditions. CIW members addressed the United Church of Christ's Fox Valley Association and Chicago Metropolitan Association, as well as the Chicago Presbytery Meeting and the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church's annual Mission Fair.
After a lively picket at McDonald's Headquarters, CIW members spoke in synagogues and churches throughout the Chicago suburbs, from Highland Park in Chicago's northern suburbs to La Grange and Downers Grove in the Western suburbs, just minutes from McDonald's Headquarters. CIW members also met with youth groups throughout the area and Pax Christi members in Naperville. All in all, it was a very busy 10 days in which many people learned about the injustices farmworkers faces and how they can join the CIW working for justice and dignity in the fields. You can see pictures from the MiniTour at:
www.ciw-online.org/2006_midwest_tour.html
Upon returning to Immokalee, the CIW tour members found the tomato picking season in full-swing. In November, the harvest begins in earnest and will continue for the next several months with farmworkers often working 6-7 days a week. Unfortunately, along with lots of work comes lots of labor abuses and the CIW has been busy rooting them out. For farmworkers, every day is a reminder of why McDonald's needs to work with the CIW to implement a code of conduct and wage increase. The good news is that those who pick tomatoes that go to Taco Bell are, right now, receiving the higher wages and improved conditions they deserve!
As we continue to urge McDonald's to follow Taco Bell's lead, we are hopeful that they soon will recognize that justice is worth more than their profits and human dignity more than public relations. Continue to hope, and continue to act!
Update provided by Interfaith Action
Interfaith Action of Southwest Florida
1107 New Market Rd, Immokalee, FL 34142
239-986-0688 ~ info@interfaithact.org
updated Summer 2006
This Summer...
Summer is in full swing and most of South Florida's farmworkers have headed north to follow the harvest, many working for the same Florida-based tomato companies who own land up and down the East Coast in order to provide the fast-food industry with a year-round supply of tomatoes. Though the farmworkers have moved, conditions remain the same- they toil under the summer sun for the same companies enduring the same conditions and earning the same sub-poverty wages as when they are in Florida.
There are several things YOU can do this summer-- whether you are on the road or in your community-- to call on McDonald's to genuinely work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to address the human rights crisis in the tomato fields:
1. If you are on a Road Trip....
No matter where you are on the road, big towns or small, the golden arches are never far away. This summer when you stop for gas and see the golden arches, stop in and let the manager know you support fair wages and real rights for farmworkers in McDonald's tomato supply chain. Download the manager letter here:http://www.ciw-online.org/tools.html
2. If you are at home....
Educate your faith community about the farmworkers' struggle or invite your youth group to do a special project. They can begin by reading articles and watching DVDs to learn more and then share what they've learned with your circle or unit in a pre-printed postcards people can sign to send to McDonald's. And finally, passing out fliers or a creative action at McDonald's will top it all off. Contact info@interfaithact.org to receive articles, postcards, sample fliers, and other materials.
Have a wonderful and safe summer!
From the Office of Community Action, Women's Division, in cooperation with the Interfaith Action Coalition's Summer Fair Foods Campaign. Contact: SLee@gbgm-umc.org.