On Aug. 25, a over 100 protesters held a march and rally in front of a Dania Beach, Fla. Burger King, demanding that
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The protesters, which included farmworkers, students, union members and other local activists, held signs that read, “Support farmworkers demands,” “Fight Burger King bosses” and “Fund people’s needs.”
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) began their struggle in 1993 when a small group of Florida farmworkers met to discuss ways they could improve their working conditions and secure better wages. Since then, the Immokalee workers have had many victories. But they are still far from receiving the wages they rightfully deserve.
“Farmworkers have basically been paid the same wage for the past 20 years: 40 to 45 cents per 32-pound buckets of tomatoes. Tomato pickers need to gather 2,000 pounds or two tons of tomatoes in one day just to take home $50,” said CIW co-founder Lucas Benitez.
Although McDonalds and Taco Bell have agreed to the one penny raises after years of struggle by the farmworkers and their supporters, Burger King continues to refuse the farmworkers demands.
“They (Burger King) said they can’t give us one penny more per pound, but they can. They just don’t want to,” said Romeo Ramirez, a CIW organizer.
In response to Burger King’s disregard to fair wages, Ramirez added, “We’re heating up the protest in a lot of areas of Miami to organize more action in November so Burger King will not keep denying us one penny more per pound.”
Adriana Zamprano, a Florida International University student and ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) organizer, came out to support the farmworkers on Aug. 25. She said, “This is definitely an injustice! As an immigrant woman, I know what it’s like to be exploited with no chance to do anything about it.”
ANSWER member Kenyon Watkins added, “My dad used to work as a farmer. I know it’s a lot of hard work and they’re not getting fair wages. That’s what we’re supporting, fair wages.”
The demonstration sent a message that tied together the anti-war struggle against the occupation of Iraq and the workers’ struggle at home.
“The U.S. obliterated the neighboring economies forcing immigrants to seek work here only to be offered the worst of working conditions in the food harvest,” said Iraq war veteran Mike Prysner.
The CIW will continue to fight for fair wages. It has promised that this protest is only the beginning of a series of actions aimed at putting pressure on Burger King. If Burger King does not agree to the wage increase, the CIW plans to take on Burger King at one of its shareholders’ meetings in November.
The march was organized by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, the Student Farm Worker Alliance, ANSWER Coalition, and Miami For Peace and various student groups and unions. Organizations present included the Teamsters, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, UNITE HERE, the Service Employment International Union, Students Towards a New Democracy, Workers for Justice, the Raging Grannies, the Broward Anti-war Coalition, the Bolivarian Youth and Codepink.
St. Maurice Catholic Church hosted a lunch and reception for the organizers after the event.
