United Farm Workers

ICE agents are terrorizing CA farm workers with random stops and abductions. We’re working around the clock helping workers, documenting civil rights violations and sharing know your rights information in the fields. Please donate. act.seiu.org/a/raidsfall2... or www.paypal.com/paypalme/ufw...

"Fernando" works in the Salinas area and shares "We are working more than 8 hours because we fear the lettuce fields might become damaged due to the heavy rain. We, H2A workers have to finish strong to be called again next season. " #WeFeedYou

Farm workers in Sunnyside WA are getting pumpkins ready for Halloween. They carry the pumpkins to the side of the field so when the tractor comes by them is easier to load it. An average pumpkin weighs 12–15 lbs, but some weigh 50lbs or more. #WeFeedYou

Farm workers and volunteers have been hitting the streets across CAs Central Valley to talk with voters about the upcoming election and encourage support for Randy Villegas in CD22.📢 Hear their experiences and stories about why they're asking voters to support Randy Villegas!

Workers in upstate NY harvest apples as the season winds down climbing 8-10 ft ladders wearing buckets that weigh up to 50 lbs when full. "We must work fast enough to meet production quotas while being careful that we don’t damage bruise any apples. It's hard work.” #WeFeedYou

"Lupe" sent us this pic saying "We are harvesting strawberries in Nipomo, CA. It's raining and the fields are getting flooded and are slippery, but we need to continue working. There's no choice at this time of year as it is essential to save money for the winter." #WeFeedyou

"Saul" is hard at work irrigating broccoli in the Arvin CA area. #WeFeedYou "Saul" está trabajando duro irrigando brócoli en el área de Arvin, CA. #SoyEsencial

Unusual heat at this Central Coast vineyard has caused workers to harvest grapes at night. Harvesting grapes during a cooler time of day protects the quality of the fruit and gives winemakers better control over the winemaking process. #WeFeedYou

Farm workers in WA State are harvesting cosmic crisp apples. They spend their days going up and down ladders harvesting this delicate fruit. They worry about weather as they must finish the harvest before temperatures drop below freezing, the crop could be ruined. #WeFeedYou

Pumpkins get from the fields to our homes for #Halloween Jack-o'-lanterns thanks to the labor of farm workers like these Moorpark CA farm workers who load each pumpkin by hand into the large cardboard box before shipping to cities ahead of Halloween. #WeFeedYou

"Elena" works in the green onions in the Tehachapi CA area. "Each box contains 96 bundles. We're paid hourly minimum wage but we must make a minimum of 4 boxes per hour or we will not continue to have a job." #WeFeedYou

"Carlos" harvests strawberries in CAs Ventura County. "I just went back to picking strawberries after a 15-day break. The company pays $2.30/box, but demands high quality. The inspection line for the boxes is quite long, which slows down how many boxes we can pick." #WeFeedYou

Farm workers in the Coachella Valley perform grafting to mango trees. Once the grafts take hold, the young trees will be planted in the fields. #WeFeedYou

"Ernesto" and "Francisco" are cleaning the blackberry rows - removing excess leaves and branches - to create space between the rows. This makes it easier for workers to move and harvest good quality berries rapidly and safely. #WeFeedYou

Apple workers in Western NY will load trailers like these w/up to ten 900lb apple bins, totaling around 5 tons. “Even though my crew does way more than the minimum bins we're required to by our contract, we don’t get any bonuses and our wages were cut this year.” #WeFeedYou

Farm workers continue to be out knocking on doors and talking to voters daily in Congressional District 22. They're making sure our district has someone in Congress who stands up for farm workers and working people. Vote for Randy Villegas for Congress! ¡Sí, Se Puede!

As ICE is roaming the streets and fields of CA's Central Valley, UFW staff is out talking to workers and sharing know your rights info including these "red cards." We're also watching for ICE activity on rural roads and sharing guidance with both union and non-union farm workers.

60 yr old "Martin" harvests #Halloween pumpkins in Ventura county for min. wage. "The work involves very heavy pumpkins, which takes a serious toll on my back. There's often large orders to fill, so we have to start early and often there's no set time to leave work." #WeFeedYou

"Maria" is picking grapes in Delano. She is getting paid minimum wage. She works with a partner and between the two of them they make about 95 boxes/day. Temps this day reached 98°. "When picking under the vines, it feels very hot and humid." #WeFeedYou

The apple season is in full gear in WA state and "Arnulfo" is repairing the bins used to hold 900 lb of apples. He works long hours doing this maintenance 6 days a week and earns $18/hr. #WeFeedYou

"Josephina" is picking tomatoes in Santa Clara county. "This is hard physical labor. We spend hours picking tomatoes and hauling the 35 lbs buckets to the trailer. We make about $180/day." #WeFeedYou

Farm workers are picking tomatoes in Los Banos area. "We go in at 7am and get off at 1pm. We are bent over for those hours and our backs ache by the end of the work day. When we get home we often take pain meds and use ointments for relief." #WeFeedYou

These workers are harvesting carrots piece rate in the Tehachapi region. "Julia" says, "Our group is paid $3.05 per box. There are 24 bunches of 7 carrots in each box. At the end of the day we are paid equal amounts depending on the number of boxes the group produces." #WeFeedYou

"Cecilia" is picking figs in Merced county at minimum wage. "We are standing for long hours. By the end of the day our feet often have blisters. But we do this work to support our families. We have rent and bills to pay and this is how we do it." #WeFeedYou

Workers in Fresno CA are picking up the parchment paper-wrapped raisins from the ground. The get paid by the trip. For each trip they have to fill 3 of these 100lb bins. They group gets paid $50/trip, which is divided by the five people. #WeFeedYou

"Alejandro" shares this photo saying, "I'm working in Soledad, CA. I walk behind the planting machine and replant the celery seedlings that don't get in the dirt correctly. At the end of the day I'm very tired from walking and bending over all day long." #WeFeedYou

"Josefina" shares, "I've been harvesting strawberries in Salinas, CA for 10 years. This job is very tiring, especially when there are very few strawberries left in the rows. It means I must work more hours to earn the same amount of money." #WeFeedYou

"José Luis" works as a irrigator in King City, CA. "We just finished putting the aluminum pipes in this block of cauliflower. The weather has been very hot and it's difficult to work at temperatures over 95° as that is not the norm in this area." #WeFeedYou

"Fernando" says, "We're cleaning the strawberry blocks by removing dry plants, old plastic, and irrigation hoses. This work helps keep the rows clean and ensures the strawberry plants receive the water they need to continue growing and producing high quality berries." #WeFeedYou

"Armando" shared this photo of the last of the pumpkins waiting to be harvested in NYs Hudson Valley. Sales are in full swing as Halloween approaches. #WeFeedYou

“Marcos” was a farm worker before becoming a foreman. "Recently due to increased ICE activities, sometimes people won’t come to work because they don’t feel safe leaving their homes. Sometimes a wage isn’t worth risking your safety & being separated from your family." #WeFeedYou

“Miguel” spends his days walking through the rows making sure that irrigation hoses are in place to water the berries. He's responsible for checking 120 beds and gets paid minimum wage. "It’s a lot for one person to do alone." #WeFeedYou

Vote early. This election is critical and it's essential that every vote count. If you live in a state with early voting, vote now instead of worrying if your ballot made it there in time. #VOTE

"Leo" sent this pic from the cosmic crisp apple harvest. "This apple is very delicate & must be cut carefully at the stem. Quality is a must or you could be fired. The average worker picks six 900lb bins in an 8 hr day, but there are workers who make much less." #WeFeedYou

If we care about farmworkers, we have to care about the ballot box. Elected officials shape the wages, working conditions, safety, and protections that impact their lives. Check your registration, make a voting plan, and consider voting early. Your voice matters! 🗳️

"Mario" gets up at 4am to harvest #Halloween pumpkins. "It's our busy season with large orders. We start early and work late. Living in this area costs a lot. Not only do we worry about meeting expenses, but now we worry about immigration who stops anyone who's brown." #WeFeedYou

"Lourdes" has worked in the fields of Salinas CA for 17 yrs. "I'm picking strawberries. We're paid by the hour as there's hardly any strawberries left. It's very tiring because we have to walk long distances bent over to fill the boxes. My body hurts by day's end." #WeFeedYou

"Maricela" says, "I work at the table grape farm in Delano, CA. I have to cover up well to keep the dust off my skin, even though it’s really hot. We earn CA minimum wage of $16.90/hr. They demand high minimum quantity and quality from us or we won't have a job." #WeFeedYou

Farm work begins long before the harvest. Join us in recognizing all farm workers whose hard work and dedication prepare the land. Workers like "Agustin" who drives this tractor that's preparing the soil for the upcoming lettuce season in Hollister, CA. #WeFeedYou

Tomato pickers in Firebaugh CA earn 89¢ per 25lb bucket. Experienced workers average 170 buckets a day. Newer pickers only manage to harvest 90-110 buckets. "Joel" says "It's a very tough back-breaking job. Our hands start to swell from the 25lb buckets in each hand." #WeFeedYou

Every big movement begins with small steps. We can't do everything, but WE CAN VOTE!

“Ana” shares pics from the winter strawberry rows in Oxnard. She’s eager for the season to start so that she can make as many boxes to save up for her rainy day fund. "We worry about the strong El Niño rains coming as it means I may not be able to work for several days." #WeFeedYou