Baja Farmworkers Accept Interim 15% Wage Increase La Jornada - Olga Aragon
go to original March 29, 2015

Bernardo Velasco Vasquez, 47, is among an estimated 50,000 farmworkers on strike. “We’ve been here for years working for the same wage. We’ve had enough,” he said. (Don Bartletti/TNS)

The wages of the farmworkers who report for work in the agricultural fields in the San Quintin Valley rose 15 percent, according to the commitment made by employers at the negotiating table, who also respect the right of workers to continue their movement in demand of a daily wage of 200 pesos [US$13.13] and a piecework rate of 20 pesos [US$1.31] per box of strawberries or blackberries.

Justino Herrera Martínez, a leader of the workers, emphasized that they consider the increase to be inadequate, so they are not in agreement with it. For that reason, they will continue fighting for approval of a 200-peso daily wage.

However, he said, we demand that employers fulfill the commitment they made at the negotiating table to pay the 15 percent increase for current wages, which range from 100 to 150 pesos [US$6.56 to US$9.84]. This percentage increase is the same increase that is applicable to the per box piecework rate for strawberries, blackberries, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Also, Herrera Martínez explained, we require compliance with the obligation to pay overtime, holidays and the seventh day of rest, as required by law.

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