UFW, tomato packer/shipper reach labor deal

TRACY
June 26, 2012 9:01pm

Some 800 workers in the Central Valley employed by one of the largest fresh tomato companies in the United States are being covered by a labor agreement for the first time.

The United Farm Workers Union says it will sign the agreement Thursday with Pacific Triple E Produce in Tracy.

UFW President Arturo Rodriguez will be joined by the farm workers' negotiating committee and Pacific Triple E Operating Partner Jon Esformes in signing the agreement.

"As a fourth generation family owned company we have always held our relationship with our workforce in the highest regard. When the UFW approached us last fall we found that we held many common ideals which allowed us to quickly establish a line of communication that was honorable, transparent and non-confrontational," says Esformes said.

Mr. Rodriguez says the three-year contract makes the workers “the best-paid tomato workers in the nation.”

The contract provides wage increases of 12 percent to 57.4 percent over the life of the agreement for hourly and daily rate employees. Other highlights of the contract include a pension plan, grievance procedure, seniority and job security.