Op-Ed 1973

Prospectus, Parkland Community College: Boycott Non-Union Lettuce

Prospectus
Parkland Community College  - Illinois’ Finest Juco
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS    FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1973   16 Pages      No. 2

In Perspective
Boycott Non-Union Lettuce
by Ken Segan

The produce fields of California have 800,000 working children under the age of 16. The average annual income of a four-person family is less than $2,700. Pickers work 16-hour days during harvest seasons and are jobless for the remainder of the year.

The medical statistics are chilling. The child mortality rate among farm workers is 120% higher. The on-the-job accident rate is 300% higher. More than 800 workers die annually from pesticide poisoning.

The farm workers began organizing against these conditions in the early 1960’s under the leadership of Cesar E. Chavez. In 1965, the grape pickers began to strike. Aided by an international boycott, the growers were forced to sign contracts recognizing the United Farm Workers in 1970.  This successful struggle was followed immediately by the lettuce pickers strike.

Today the United Farm Workers Union, AFL-CIO, is seeking nation-wide support. The consumer-level boycott is aimed at table-grapes and head, or iceberg lettuce.

In Champaign-Urbana, a rapidly growing committee, comprised of students, workers and union people, to support the UFW has been functioning. The first campaign is aimed at the University of Illinois. Non-union lettuce is distributed chiefly in the cafeterias and the dormitories such as Allen Hall. Students have been leafletting the dorm. The second boycott is centered on the Eisner Food Store chain. Eisners is the largest supermarket chain in the twin cities. The chain will be picketted until it carries only UFW produce.  In Chicago, the Jewel Food Corporation is currently being boycotted.

The Twin-City Federation of Labor, representing some 15,000 AFL-CIO members in Champaign-Urbana, has endorsed the Eisner boycott. They are currently mailing a letter to all their members asking them to refrain from shopping at Eisner’s and to buy only union produce.

The boycott committee is also seeking endorsement from the Champaign and Urbana city councils. They currently have the support of individual council members, and have received the endorsements of many local church and civic groups. Delores Huerta, the Vice President of the United Farm Workers, will be speaking at the auditorium in Champaign, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. 

So the boycotts continue. We can support the United Farm Workers by refusing to eat non-union grapes and lettuce. If you wish to assist the efforts of the committee, write [PO Box ---, Station A, Champaign -----] or phone [217 --- ----.] In addition, concerned persons are invited to attend the weekly meetings at the Illini Union, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.