Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO

FLOC MARCHES AT REYNOLDS TOBACCO

About 400 supporters march pass Reynolds American calling on the corporation
to join FLOC in seeking justice for tobacco field workers

On Sunday Oct. 28, about 400 farmworkers, representatives of religious and labor groups, students, and others aged from 1 to 80 marched on the headquarters of Reynolds American calling on CEO Susan Ivey to meet with FLOC leaders in order to resolve the conditions of tobacco field workers that produce its products. In addition to workers and supporters in North Carolina, supporters came to Winston-Salem in buses and cars from the Midwest, Washington DC, and the South.

The event raised the issue that tobacco farmworkers suffer horrendous conditions in the fields and camps. One worker carried a sign that said, "I picked your tobacco leaves in 100 degree heat this summer, now can we talk?" In front of the main entrance to company headquarters, participants laid flowers on a makeshift altar in memory of the six heat-related deaths of workers in the tobacco harvest since 2005.

In contrast to the poverty of tobacco farmworkers, Reynolds American CEO Susan Ivey reports that in 2006 its net income rose 16.1% to 1.21 billion dollars, with shareholders receiving 43% return on their investment!

Virginia Nesmith of the National Farmworker Ministry, Michael Livingston of the National Council of Churches, Joseph Keesecker of the Agricultural Missions, and other religious leaders all called upon Susan Ivey of Reynolds American to meet with FLOC. Along with other labor leaders, Will Duncan of the AFL-CIO presented President John Sweeney's support for the FLOC cause, and James Andrews of the N.C. AFL-CIO shared on his personal experience growing up in the tobacco fields in calling on all to support the FLOC campaign. These and others national, state, and local leaders pledged their support until justice for tobacco field workers is achieved.

Reynolds earned 1.21 billion dollars in profits in 2006,
but apparently has little for farmworkers who produce its products

Responding to media inquires, Reynolds American representatives have denied any responsibility for the workers that harvest the tobacco. Previously, Reynolds executives refused to meet with farmworker representatives from FLOC for the same reason. Case after case, however, has shown the vertical control powerful corporate processors have over their procurement system. Throughout its history, FLOC has successfully bargained and implemented changes involving all parties in the supply chain.

CEO of Reynolds American Susan Ivey had said earlier they would not meet with FLOC, but after the march local media reported that a company spokesperson said they would "meet with some of those in the crowd" (religious leaders)... but apparently not those workers who suffer under corporate practices.

Baldemar Velásquez, President of FLOC, says,
"We will be here until Reynolds joins us in realizing justice for its tobacco field workers."

Emphasizing FLOC's commitment to this campaign, FLOC President Baldemar Velásquez said, "FLOC is called upon to challenge the deplorable conditions of the tobacco workforce who remains voiceless, powerless, and invisible to mainstream America. FLOC will campaign until RJ Reynolds commits to joining us in addressing this national shame. They have the money and the power, but we have the time and nothing to lose. We will be here until Reynolds joins us in realizing justice for its tobacco field workers."

Action Alert

Please write Susan Ivey, CEO of Reynolds American, and let her know that this issue will not go away until they meet with FLOC:

Susan Ivey, CEO
Reynolds American Inc.
401 North Main Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27102-28066
FAX: 336-741-0881

See postcard with message to Susan Ivey.

For more information, see:

• Justice for Tobacco Field Workers (FLOC website)
• Justice for Tobacco Field Workers (PDF file)
• FLOC Marches on RJ Reynolds, Wants Meeting (PDF file)
• A Harvest of Shame, by Baldemar Velásquez, The Huffington Post
• Address by Michael Livingston, National Council of Churches (PDF file)
• Address by Joseph Keesecker, Agricultural Missions (PDF file)
• Tobacco's Other Victims, Dick Meister ZNews-Labor
• Farm union targets RJR, Raleigh News and Observer
• Calls for Change: Demonstrators march to Reynolds American, protesting farmworkers' conditions, Winston-Salem Journal
• Farm workers seek better conditions, Greensboro News and Record
• Tobacco workers urged to rally, Mount Airy News
• Union That Took On Mount Olive Turns Aim Toward Tobacco Workers, WITN-TV
• FLOC says tobacco rally drew 500 in North Carolina, Toledo Blade
• N.C. Tobacco Farm Workers March on R.J. Reynolds for a Voice at Work, AFL-CIO Now Blog
• FLOC Protest Against RJ Reynolds, YouTube
• 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!

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 2007