Florida Farm Workers and Christian Groups End Three-Year Boycott on Taco Bell
Florida farm workers and their supporters ended a three-year boycott of fast food brand Taco Bell on Tuesday, after the company agreed to force its suppliers to pay the penny-per-pound surcharge on Florida tomatoes demanded by the workers
Florida farm workers and their supporters ended a three-year boycott of fast food brand Taco Bell on Tuesday, after the company agreed to force its suppliers to pay the penny-per-pound surcharge on Florida tomatoes demanded by the workers and improve the farm labor standards in the supply chain across the entire industry.
"As an industry leader, we are pleased to lend our support to and work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to improve working and pay conditions for farmworkers in the Florida tomato fields," said Emil Brolick, Taco Bell president. "We recognize that Florida tomato workers do not enjoy the same rights and conditions as employees in other industries, and there is a need for reform. We have indicated that any solution must be industry-wide, as our company simply does not have the clout alone to solve the issues raised by the CIW, but we are willing to play a leadership role within our industry to be part of the solution.”
The CIW, a South Florida-based workers rights organization, launched a nationwide boycott of Taco Bell and its mother company Yum!Brands Inc. three years ago, to improve the basic conditions and wages in the tomato industry. Since then, coalition workers rallied across the country to strengthen their cause and have garnered the support of dozens of universities and organizations, including the National Council of Churches and the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
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Coalition representatives hailed Tuesday’s decision as a significant step to improve the lives of thousands of farm workers – many whom earn less than $7,500 a year.
"This is an important victory for farmworkers, one that establishes a new standard of social responsibility for the fast-food industry and makes an immediate material change in the lives of workers. This sends a clear challenge to other industry leaders," said Lucas Benitez, a leader of CIW.
At the Louisville, Kentucky conference where the announcement was made, Benitez also called on the CIW’s supports to end their boycott of Taco Bell.
"We now call on the National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights and other organizations to join the CIW and end their boycott of Taco Bell, and to recognize the Company by supporting its ongoing leadership in our fight against human rights abuses,” said Benitez.
In answering the call, Clifton Kirkpatrick, the PC(USA)’s stated clerk, urged the denomination’s members to “immediately cease boycotting Taco Bell”.
Saying that “a new day is dawning in the fast-food and agricultural industry,” Kirkpatrick urged “all members” to “immediately cease boycotting Taco Bell and to join with the CIW and Yum Brands in advancing the gains for human rights made today throughout fast-food industry.
“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) commends Yum Brands for leading by example and laying the cornerstone for socially responsible purchasing in the fast-food industry. I am also grateful to Presbyterian congregations for the important role they played in making this day a reality,” he added.
“We know the bright rays of hope we witness this day are but a glimmer of the radiance that soon will shine throughout the industry, bringing a new day of human rights and fair food for all. Giving thanks to God, we move forward together to hasten its coming,” said Kirkpatrick.
Meanwhile, the Rev. Robert Edgar, general secretary of the NCC, celebrated the “really, really good news” and applauded the fast-food company for their decision to make much-needed improvements on the working standards.
“It's good news for another set of workers who have been exploited, and for the religious community, which has been so active in the boycott,” said Edgar. I hope this victory will energize all efforts to provide working people with a living wage."
Taco Bell Corp., based in Irvine, California, is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. and the nation’s leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain serving tacos, burritos, signature Quesadillas, Border Bowls®, nachos and other specialty items. In 2004, Taco Bell purchased approximately 10 million pounds of Florida tomatoes, representing less than one percent of Florida’s tomato production. Taco Bell serves more than 35 million consumers each week in more than 6,500 restaurants in the U.S.
CIW is a membership-led organization of agricultural workers based in Immokalee, Florida, that seeks justice for farmworkers and promotes their fair treatment in accordance with national and international labor standards. Among its accomplishments, the CIW has aided in the prosecution of five slavery operations by the Department of Justice and the liberation of over 1,000 workers. The CIW uses creative methods to educate consumers about human rights abuses in the U.S. agriculture industry, corporate social responsibility, and how consumers can help workers realize their social change goals.
