The intimidation of violent rhetoric and acts is not limited to right wing attacks on Democratic politicians. No, it's something some workers face every day on the job. Hyperbole? No, take a look at Washington State's Ruby Ridge dairy.
Owner Dick Bengen often carries a rifle with him on his large dairy farm. To Dick Bengen, that rifle is his anti-union rifle that he uses to scare the workers into line. Mr. Bengen made a point of explaining the special purpose of this rifle to Miguel Cuevas, when he told him, "This rifle is for those people with the union."
United Farm Workers: This Boss Brings a Rifle to Work
The dairy is being sued for violation of Washington wage and hour laws, unlawful discharge by firing 1/3 of the workforce and even assault. The workers who haven't yet been fired are afraid they're next.
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Workers, members of the faith community and most recently, thousands of UFW supporters, contacted Northwest Farm Credit Services, the bank that loaned $13 million to Ruby Ridge. They demand the bank use its influence to resolve the issues at the dairy. The bank's mortgage language specifically prohibits illegal behavior such as the workers say is happening at Ruby Ridge.
The bank continues to ignore our calls. According to Margarito Martinez, who was fired from Ruby Ridge for supporting the union and fighting for his rights, "When workers and supporters tried to reach out to the bank to intervene in this matter, they turned us down, saying they did not want to be involved."
On January 11, right after the Christmas holidays, Ruby Ridge workers and their supporters will gather in front of the bank's headquarters. They will demand that the bank enforce their lending language.
We know that not everyone can join the workers in Spokane, WA, but you and your friends and family can join virtually by signing the petition that we'll present to the bank that day.
United Farm Workers: This Boss Brings a Rifle to Work
That bank already is involved if it is funding such a vicious anti-union operation.
From an email I received today from the UFW:
The workers are demanding that Ruby Ridge's lender, Northwest Farm Credit Services, take a stance on this issue. TOMORROW, January 11, Ruby Ridge workers and their supporters are going to the the lender's headquarters to deliver thousands of petition signatures. So far, there are 20,105 signatures on the workers petition.
Help us reach 25,000 before tomorrow's event.
Please sign the petition
Update I: Now there are 23,150 signatures on the workers' petition, so UFW is almost there.