CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
title
A RESOLUTION reaffirming City Council’s commitment to workers and supporting dairy workers and their Fast for Reconciliation.
body
WHEREAS, dairy workers in Washington state do physically challenging and often hazardous work; and
WHEREAS, dairy farm workers in Washington State have Labor & Industries compensation claims at a rate 121% higher than the rate for all state fund industries combined and 19% higher than the agricultural sector as a whole; and
WHEREAS, dairy workers and their supporters have long-voiced concerns over safety, training and health standards at dairy farms; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 several dairy farm workers who complained about unsafe and unfair work practices reported that they were subsequently fired; and
WHEREAS, a DeRuyter Brothers Dairy worker, Maria Gonzalez, reported complaining of sexual harassment, being terminated, and subsequently achieved a settlement agreement on the grounds of workplace retaliation and sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, numerous dairy workers across Washington state have voiced concerns alleging hostile work environments, unsafe working conditions, wage and hour theft, sexual harassment, lack of clean drinking water, physical abuse, and verbal abuse; and
WHEREAS, dairy workers plan to engage in a five-day fast (Fast for Reconciliation), supported by members of the faith, business, and labor community; and
WHEREAS, Darigold’s farms account for a substantial percentage of Washington State dairies; and
WHEREAS, Darigold is headquartered in Seattle and holds its corporate offices in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, the City has a long history of supporting workers and maintaining worker protections; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle City Council believes all dairy workers should be guaranteed the right to work without fear of retaliation and calls on Darigold and companies who purchase Darigold products to work with the dairy workers and their representatives at the United Farm Workers to ensure these protections.
Section 2. The Seattle City Council stands with dairy farm workers and Darigold workers who provide Seattle residents with dairy products.
Section 3. The Seattle City Council extends its full support to the upcoming Fast for Reconciliation to bring much needed attention to the issues impacting Washington State dairy workers.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2018, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)