See’s Candies buys almonds from Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s largest almond processor.
The workers at Blue Diamond’s Sacramento plant began organizing more than two years ago to join the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Blue Diamond launched a nasty anti-union campaign against them. It fired union supporters. It threatened that people could lose their jobs and pensions. It interrogated people about their support for the union. It didn’t even stop after the federal government found it guilty of more than 20 labor law violations.
The Blue Diamond workers simply want to decide for themselves whether or not they want a union—without firings, harassment and threats. They think Blue Diamond should sign a neutrality agreement with the ILWU, and recognize the union if a majority of them sign cards saying they want it.
The workers already have lots of support for their right to make a free choice. The Sacramento City Council voted 6-3 in December 2006 to encourage Blue Diamond to sign a neutrality agreement. The workers are also asking Blue Diamond’s customers—like See’s—to back them up. Please sign this petition to See’s to help make their request stronger!
