Bloomberg writer Josh Eidelson reported today that, “Unions representing U.S. farmworkers, many of whom are immigrants, are escalating their push for safer working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The United Farm Workers and Familias Unidas por la Justicia sued Washington state on Thursday, accusing regulators of failing to do enough to protect workers from exposure to the contagion.
“Food producers from farms to processing plants are grappling with the need to keep people fed while safeguarding their workers. They also have to comply with broader containment efforts such as travel restrictions that squeeze the supply of migrant workers they count on. Washington is the top apple-producing state and a major supplier of staples including wheat, potatoes and dairy.”
The Bloomberg article noted that, “The state’s governor, Jay Inslee, a Democrat, has pledged strong support for farmworkers and immigrant communities during the pandemic.”
