It's totally shitty the way they're being treated. That being said, pretty ballsy of them to "demand their rights" when so many of them are undocumented. You don't get the "rights" Americans have if you don't play by the rules of American law to get here. The work is absolutely shitty, and everybody knows it, true, but also, no one is forcing them to be here. The position they put themselves in coming here illegally, they've kinda signed up for exploitation. I feel bad kinda, but not really. If I were an immigrant who came here legally, I wouldn't feel bad at all.

@1

Enjoy the blood in your ice cream.

@1 - Fuck you.

Thank you Ansel. Sharing far and wide.

I only eat the chocolate or salted caramel. I guess I should feel guilty about the blood cacao or blood vanilla beans, or whatever.

@1 - You realize that as long as illegal immigrants aren't entitled to the same rights as legal workers, there will always be a financial incentive for employers to go with illegal immigrants, right?

@1 has hidden their comment history and should be considered a troll.

@10 - How can you? You'd have to feel guilty for being a horrible human being before you could feel guilty at that depth.

I picked strawberries every summer from 1978-1983, most of us Whatcom County kids did. Of course that was before child labor laws were enforced. Here's the kicker, in 1978 I got 7 cents a pound. I can't believe that the rate has only gone up to thirty cents a pound in the ensuing 35 years. I just needed the money to buy my Hash Star Jeans and Stan Smith tennis shoes, not feed a family. Sheesh.

@1 I don't think we get to talk about "rights" when it's undocumented worker vs. company that hires and imports thousands of undocumented workers. Both employer and employees are complicit in this system. I absolutely feel sympathy and support the workers' efforts, and FYI, this is coming from the son of an immigrant who came here legally. Since when is "no racist treatment" and "paper receipts" a crippling burden on agribusiness?

*I don't think we get to talk about "rights" that way

El pueblo, unido, jamás será vencido.

Ansel, is there a strike fund we can donate to?

@11 um, that ice cream company was founded by a Polish & English (Jewish) couple. the name is made-up nonsense.

do no connection to any Swedish people.

I had no idea this was happening in this state. They're paying less than minimum wage, that's completely not acceptable. It's so brave of them to organize and get their story out. Keep us informed.

@1 Just a refresher:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain UNALIENABLE rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.[emphasis mine]
That doesn't mean some or most, it means ALL. Unalienable, means you don't get to choose when and if they apply.

I grew up in Skagit county working for the Sukumas. Hash Star Jeans and Stan Smith shoes was the shit back in the day.. WOW can't believe someone still remembers those jeans. But we were all Chicanos not illegals!!! Rain or shine we were in the fields. I remember those camps where some of the migrant workers lived. Really crappy conditions but on the weekends there would be music and partying. Glad my kids will never have to go through that.

@1

Speaking of rights, employers don't have the right to employ non-Americans without working visas. In fact, this is a federal offense, yet farms can openly discuss their dependency on undocumented workers for their labor force and suffer no consequences.

So what would be a good way to get involved to put positive pressure on those deciding things for the workers? Do we go directly to Mr. Sakuma, or would writing to Haagen Dazs work also?

Check out this link for updates and how you can support the workers (scroll to bottom): http://foodjustice.org/archives/3254

Solidarity statements can be forwarded to Community to Community Development by e-mail at decomunidad@qwestoffice.net;

Farmworkers have been on work stoppage for six days, they have gone without wages for that period of time. At this time we are asking for contributions of food, sundries and disposable diapers. Gift cards to purchase food at Costco or local grocers are much appreciated.

Durable goods can be delivered directly to Labor Camp 2 at 1302 A Benson Road, Burlington, WA 98338 or contact C2C to make arrangements for donations, (360)756-2478.

We are also requesting support in our transportation costs via gift cards for gas or contributions to the strike fund.

To contribute to the strike fund, access http://foodjustice.org click on the “donate” button to the right of the screen or send a check written out to Community to Community Development labeled “Strike Fund” to 203 W. Holly Street, Ste. 317, Bellingham, WA 98225.

.30 cents a pound is awful. I picked blueberries for 50 cents a pint in Ohio in 1995.

@25, THANK YOU!

Why 70 cents a pound? Why not 90 cents a pound, or $2 a pound?

*Berkeley* not Berkley.

Thanks Maggie, fixed.

Burlington is my hometown and I love the Skagit Valley. I went to high school with a few of the Sakuma kids; they were shiny and obviously upper class. I rogued spinach for a different farm, I think, but had friends who spent their summers in the berry fields. It's no picnic, and for them (like @15), it was just a summer gig for a few extra bucks. The workers on strike don't come from that privilege. I really hope The Sakumas buck up and start treating their workers with some respect and pay them better wages. This is no way to treat people.

Thanks for the report, Ansel. In the meantime, I won't spend my money at their farm stand and donate to the workers' cause.

Never liked Haagan Dazs and I never will.