February 18, 2000
More than 350 workers at Pictsweet Mushroom Farms in Ventura County north of Los Angeles need help convincing their employer to negotiate a United Farm Workers contract.
These workers earn up to 15% less than their fellow workers employed at fresh mushroom ranches where there are UFW contracts. Most have not had a pay raise in four years. Workers also want an end to any on-the-job favoritism and to improve their medical plan. So far, Pictsweet is resisting reaching an agreement with its workers.
One of the biggest customers for Pictsweet mushrooms is Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut has roughly 7,000 restaurants across the U.S., including hundreds in California.
Pictsweet workers ask supporters to visit the manager of their local Pizza Hut.
Here's what you can do.
* Go with a few friends.
* Inform the manager about the Pictsweet mushroom workers in Ventura County who want the basic protections that a UFW contract would bring.
* If the manager says he or she can't help, then ask him or her to relay your request that Pizza Hut support the Pictsweet workers to Pizza Hut's district office and corporate headquarters.
* Take down the manager's name and phone number, and arrange a time to call back for Pizza Hut's response.
The next negotiations meeting between the UFW and Pictsweet Farms is set for Feb. 29. Act today to help the workers at Pictsweet.
Also, please email the UFW to report responses from Pizza Hut. Contact the UFW at: pubaction@ufwmail.com
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