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Farmworkers ask Publix to pay more for tomatoes

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: October 26, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - More than 100 farmworkers protested Sunday afternoon outside a Publix demanding the grocer pay higher prices for tomatoes to help increase the wages of pickers.

The men, women and children banged on makeshift drums, waved flags and carried signs outside the store at 11502 N. 53rd St. The signs read, "Exploitation: It's What's for Dinner," "Food is Necessary. So are Human Rights" and "Publix: Do the Right Thing."

Gerardo Reyes, one of the protest's organizers, said Publix is one of several large corporations using buying power to purchase large volumes of tomatoes at low prices.

The protesters want the Lakeland-based grocery chain to pay more for the tomatoes it buys, Reyes said. They also want Publix to sign a contract with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers stating that the additional amount the grocer pays for the tomatoes would go directly to the workers, said Reyes, 32, a coalition staff member who has worked the fields in Collier County for 11 years.

In the end, the worker is the one who suffers when their compensation doesn't increase at the rate of inflation, he said.

"The buyers are the ones who have the power," he said.

Farmworker Silvia Perez of Immokalee said she wants Publix to help change the situation for tomato pickers.

"As farmworkers we want better working conditions and better pay in the fields," Perez said through an interpreter. "We want Publix to sit at the table and make an agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers."
Publix spokeswoman Shannon Patten said it's the company's policy to avoid such issues.

"We can't get involved in labor disputes between suppliers and their employees," she said.

"Publix pays fair market value for the tomatoes," she said. "We don't decide what the price is."

This week, Publix is selling vine-ripened tomatoes for $1.49 a pound - a $1.20 drop from the previous week and the cheapest price Publix has offered in about six weeks.

This year, the farmworker coalition has reached agreements with corporations including McDonald's, Burger King, Yum Brands, Whole Foods and Compass Group, Reyes said. He said companies that haven't increased what they pay for tomatoes include Sweetbay, Wendy's, Wal-Mart, Winn-Dixie and Quiznos.

This month the coalition started its campaign against Publix, protesting in Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Katy Kuehner contributed to this report. Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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