FLOC represents some 6,000 immigrant farmworker in North Carolina. While these workers have a direct voice in their own conditions and treatment, there are 150,000 more who suffer abuse, dangerous working conditions, and low wages. At the recent 2006 FLOC Convention, FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez announced a new campaign in North Carolina to extend human rights to all farmworkers in the state. To learn more about this campaign, go to:

In March 2007, national and state religious leaders gathered in Raleigh to denounce the tragic deaths of farmworkers like Urbano Ramirez in the fields of North Carolina. They also called for action to end the deaths, abuse, and exploitation of farmworkers. To see more, go to:

TOBACCO WORKERS SUFFER IN THE FIELDS

Tobacco workers suffer hazardous and demeaning conditions to make big corporations rich.
(See A Short Tobacco Day.)

Imagine the hazards of daily contact with nicotine that is absorbed into your entire body. Nicotine is not only classified as one of the most toxic poisons, but it also raises the body temperature and increases a worker's dehydration. In the past two years, six field workers have died in North Carolina tobacco fields, most of them due to heat stroke.

In addition, most of these farmworkers suffer slave-like hardships:

• racism
• long hours of stoop labor in the fields
• harassment in their work
• abject poverty
• staggering debt
• exposure to lethal nicotine and pesticides
• poor health
• miserable housing in labor camps
• denial of basic labor and human rights protections

The most serious problem faced by tobacco field workers is that they have no voice in those conditions that impact on their lives. If they complain about mistreatment or their productivity declines from tobacco sickness, they can be fired without question.

What chance do these human beings have in life?

What Is the Cause of This Misery?

Big tobacco companies are among the richest corporations, because they have a monopoly on the procurement system, as well as the marketing and distribution of tobacco products. They determine what price they pay farmers, and therefore the pay and conditions of field workers. This system with layers of subcontracts is designed to avoid responsibility for what happens down the procurement chain.

With their excessive wealth and power, they could do something about this situation... but have chosen to ignore this suffering in their drive for greater profits.

RJ Reynolds is one of the largest tobacco corporations, whose products include Camel, Winston, Salem, Kool, Pall Mall, Doral, Misty, and Capri. It makes one out of every three cigarettes sold in the US... controlling six of the top ten brands.

What Is the Solution to the Abuse of Farmworkers?

The FLOC movement seeks to change the structure of the system that fosters abuse of farmworkers. The large corporations have created a supply system that enrich its executives and investors at the expense of those who work in the fields to produce its products. These corporations have the wealth and power to change this structure. As in past campaigns, FLOC seeks to put all those in the system as equals through collective bargaining agreements to the benefit of all - corporations, growers, and farmworkers. This new structure gives farmworkers a direct voice in their own affairs, which has greatly benefitted field workers in terms of pay, working conditions, housing, and other aspects of their lives.

FLOC CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE FOR TOBACCO FIELD WORKERS

In 2004, FLOC won significant advances for farmworkers in North Carolina with its historic labor agreements. FLOC and the N.C. Growers Association have provided significant improvements in wages and working rights for their workers. Most important, these workers now have a direct voice in their own conditions, through grievance procedures in the fields and camps and through their union.

At its 2006 Constitutional Convention, these tobacco workers along with other FLOC members voted to begin a new organizing campaign to bring more agricultural workers in North Carolina under the benefits and protections of FLOC's historic union contracts.

North Carolina leads the country in tobacco production. In fact, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture admits that "The golden leaf is a bedrock to North Carolina," with "an approximate 2006 annual farm income of $506.2 million dollars."

About 20% of FLOC workers help produce tobacco for RJ Reynolds. FLOC now wishes to extend the same benefits to the other tobacco workers in North Carolina. (See Comparison of FLOC and Other Tobacco Workers.)

In September 2007, FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez asked to meet with Susan Ivey, the CEO of Reynolds American Inc., to discuss the conditions of field workers producing its products. Reynolds replied that it saw no reason to meet with FLOC. A group of clergy has appealed to Ms. Ivey to reconsider. (See Velásquez letter.)

President Velásquez reminds us that FLOC is "called upon to challenge the deplorable conditions of the broader workforce that remains voiceless, powerless, and invisible to mainstream America."

As in former campaigns, it is encouraging to know we are not alone. There has always been a broad network of people and groups across the country who make a major difference for justice. Big corporations may be rich and powerful, but in the long run the balance is always restored by millions of people who truly believe in the American ideals of justice and equality. If we stand together, how can the rich and powerful resist our collective call for justice?

WHAT CAN I DO?

Here are things you can do right now:

• Be informed
  
  
  • Keep checking the FLOC website
  • Sign up for the FLOC List to keep up with our struggle for justice
  • Check out what Reynolds stands for at RJ Reynolds Tobacco
    and its parent corporation Reynolds American
  
  
• Write Reynolds American, and aks them to meet with FLOC to resolve the exploitive conditions of the field workers who produce its products:

  Susan Ivey, CEO
  Reynolds American Inc.
  401 North Main Street
  Winston-Salem, NC 27102-28066
  FAX: 336-741-0881
  
  (Please send a copy to FLOC, 1221 Broadway, Toledo OH 43609)

Want to do more?

Get Involved! (Click for more information.)

For more information on the Reynolds campaign, see:

• Justice for Tobacco Field Workers (PDF)
• FLOC Announces a New Campaign (PDF 9/2006)
• Farmworker Remembrance (PDF 9/2007)
• Let Them Not Be Forgotten, FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez (PDF 9/2007)
• FLOC Marches at Reynolds Tobacco (web page 10/2007)
• A Harvest of Shame, FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez, The Huffington Post (web page 10/2007)
• Reynolds 2008 Shareholders Meeting (PDF 5/2008)
• Letter from CEO Susan Ivey to Shareholders, Reynolds American Inc. (Note emphasis on profits and returns to investors, and the absence of reference to workers who produce their products. Also note comments on Corporate Responsibility and the core values of Principles, Creative, Dynamic, and Passionate.)
• Our Guiding Principles and Beliefs, Reynolds American Inc. (Note the absence of principles about the workers who produce their products.)

Thank you! As in former campaigns, it is encouraging to know we are not alone. There has always been a broad network of people and groups across the country who make a major difference for justice. Big corporations may be rich and powerful, but in the long run the balance is always restored by millions of people who truly believe in the American ideals of justice and equality. If we stand together, how can the rich and powerful resist our collective call for justice?

E-Mail Us at FLOC Reynolds Campaign

Thank You!

Thank you for your support! It has always been the commitments and efforts of our supporters that have made our victories possible. As we continue the struggle for justice, we know we can count on you as we face new challenges and victories together.

© FLOC 2008