SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — After an extensive investigation, the General Counsel of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) filed a complaint against Gerawan Farming, Inc. alleging that the company committed wide-ranging and serious violations of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act that undermined the rights of Gerawan’s employees and the union that represents them.

“No employee in the fields should be coerced by their employers when it comes to deciding whether union representation is best for them,” said Sylvia Torres Guillen, General Counsel of the ALRB. “The Agricultural Labor Relations Act ensures that agricultural employees can select a collective bargaining representative free from employer interference.”

The complaint alleges specifically that Gerawan interfered and coerced employees in the exercise of their rights by undermining the United Farm Workers’ ability to represent employees and by directly and indirectly supporting the effort to decertify the union. It is unlawful for an employer to prevent a certified union from meaningfully representing employees and to coerce its employees into signing a decertification petition. – Elections held under such circumstances are not valid by law. The Agricultural Labor Relations Act was enacted in 1975 to protect the rights of agricultural employees to full freedom of association, and to select a collective bargaining representative free from employer interference.

A hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 29, 2014 in Fresno, California. After the hearing, an Administrative Law Judge will determine whether unfair labor practices occurred. The Administrative Law Judge’s decision is subject to review by the Board of the ALRB, who will ultimately determine the proper remedies for any violations that are found.  

For more information, please contact Cristian Pena at the ALRB General Counsel’s Office at (916) 653-2690.  Find out more about the ALRB and learn more about laws to protect farm workers at www.alrb.ca.gov.

AGRICULTURAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
Headquarters Office

Sylvia Torres-Guillen
General Counsel

1325 J Street, Suite 1900A
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: (916) 653-2690; Fax:  (916) 653-2743
Internet: www.alrb.ca.gov