Veronica Mota migrated to the United States from Oaxaca, Mexico. She has been a farmworker in Madera County for 22 years.
“That’s how I took care of my kids, my family,” she says in Spanish.
Mota’s harvested all kinds of fruits and vegetables. She’s operated tractors and set up irrigation lines in pistachio and almond orchards. She’s also traveled to Oregon and Washington to pick apples and pears.
“Restaurants, grocery stores, your own home wouldn’t have fresh fruit and vegetables if it weren’t for farmworkers,” she says.
Mota was one of 19 farmworkers who joined the United Farm Workers in a 24-day, 335 mile march that ended Friday in Sacramento. The march aimed to drum up support for the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, AB 2183, which would allow farmworkers to vote from home in union elections. But despite their efforts, the fate of the legislation they’re seeking is uncertain.
“The life of a farmworker is unjust,” Mota says. “We want this change. We are the legacy of César Chávez and we know that it can be done.”
Farmworkers vow to keep fighting for bill
As it stands, farmworkers can only vote in-person and on the property of their employer. The UFW says this exposes farmworkers to fear, intimidation - and in many cases - deportation.
“The large majority of farmworkers in California are undocumented,” says Elizabeth Strater, the director of strategic campaigns for the UFW. “The shadow of deportation is absolutely hanging over these workers.”
Newsom vetoed a similar bill, AB 616, last year. He cited “various inconsistencies and procedural issues” in its implementation. Since January, the UFW and legislators have been working with Newsom to reach an agreement on the bill.
“All of the objections that he stated in his veto last year have been addressed in the bill,” says Strater.
Hours before the union began the last mile of the march on Friday, the governor’s office released a statement to the Fresno Bee. It said in its current state, Newsom cannot sign AB 2183. His main concern is the mail-in component of the bill, which “lacks critical provisions to protect the integrity of the election.”
In the statement, a spokesperson for Newsom said the governor remains open to negotiations on the bill.
The announcement from the governor’s office didn’t stop the marchers. The farmworkers arrived at the state capitol on Friday afternoon with sunburns and blistered feet. One worker was walking on crutches because her feet were severely swollen.
“Governor Newsom, we are not going to stop until you sign AB 2183!” Lorena Gonzalez of the California Labor Federation said to the emotionally charged crowd assembled on the south steps of the state capitol.
UFW holds vigils to urge signing of bill
After the rally died down, Mota said she was disappointed to hear the statement from the governor’s office.
“It hurts,” Mota says. “It hurts to not be valued. It hurts to know [Newsom] has the power to sign the bill. I feel that pain in my heart, not my feet or my hands.”
Mota was embraced by her daughter and three grandchildren. She said the first thing she’s going to do when she gets home is rest and cut a cake for her daughter's birthday. But as of this week, she’s back to work. She just has one message for Newsom.
“Please, sign the bill,” Mota says. “Give farmworkers what they rightfully deserve.”
AB 2183 passed through the legislature earlier this week. Newsom has until the end of September to sign it. Until then, the UFW will be hosting 24-hour vigils in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Fresno to urge the governor to approve the measure.
This story is part of the Central Valley News Collaborative, which is supported by the Central Valley Community Foundation with technology and training support by Microsoft Corp.
