Emcee & San Francisco Central Labor Council Executive Director Kim Tavaglione
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, IBEW 1245 joined the UFW and dozens of other unions to celebrate the recent first contract victory for 1,200 sugar beet farmworkers at the Viera Ag Corporation in Merced County, California.
Viera Ag is the second largest sweet potato producer in the United States. 1,200 farmworkers generate 300 million pounds of sweet potatoes per year from 3,000 acres of land.
Ten Viera Ag workers and proud UFW members—mostly women—participated in the reception which was held at Delancey Street in San Francisco. They were joined by unions including IBEW Locals 6, 617 and 1245, ILWU Local 10, SEIU-UHW, SEIU 521, SEIU 2000, NUHW, CAN, ATU Local 192, Unite Here Local 2, the Iron Workers, The Sacramento Fire Fighters, and AFSCME Local 3299 among others.
Viera Ag Farmworkers stand to an ovation celebrating their first contract
The new 3-year contract with Viera Ag followed an organizing drive that benefitted from a 2022 California state law allowing “card check” in Union elections. “Card check” allows workers to form a union by signing authorization cards expressing their support, rather than through the lengthier secret ballot election, and limits the potential for employer interference, pressure and retaliation.
UFW President Teresa Romero praised the farmworkers who courageously led the campaign.
Alejandro Martinez, a tractor driver in charge of harvesting with six plus years at the company described working conditions before and after the unionizing drive and first contract. “Before the union came, we had a lot of injustices. We were subjected to mistreatment by foremen. We were afraid to speak out due to the risk of being blacklisted or relegated to the hardest jobs and bad treatment,” he reported. “Now [with the Union] we have support. If there’s a problem we can call our [Union] representative. We are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Martinez.
UFW President Teresa Romero honoring Viera Ag sweet potato farmworkers who have just won their first contract
Ana Lidia Garcia, another Viera Ag worker, added, “Now we are better off with the Union. We have respect. With the union, everything is changing.”
But challenges remain.
Anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise. Growers’ are challenging the legality of “card check” with a modicum of success in the courts. Abysmal field conditions remain—from deadly heat and the absence of water and cooling stations, to wage theft and sexual harassment.
“When a farmworker dies in the field because of hot temperatures and no access to water, that’s violence. When workers are not paid, that’s violence. When a woman is denied work because she refuses sexual advances, that’s violence,” declared Romero.
IBEW Local 617 and IBEW 1245 celebrate UFW & Sweet Potato Farm Workers’ victory
State Assemblywoman Liz Ortega (AD 20) honored the sweet potato workers and extolled their courage. An immigrant, herself, Ortega said, “I came to this country when I was three years old. Mom and Dad came in search of the American Dream. They worked hard their entire lives; they paid taxes; they contributed to the dream.” Ortega currently chairs the California Labor & Employment Committee and said, “We need all of you to join in the struggle. We have to raise our voices higher than ever. We are facing threats to Medicaid, cuts to wages, and cuts to farmworkers’ medical plans.”
Kim Tavaglioine, Executive Director of the San Francisco Central Labor Council and emcee of the event, closed the evening pledging to stand in solidarity with farmworkers and the immigrant community. She called upon the many unions in the room to “continue the fight, continue the struggle, continue winning!”