Sorrento Cheese Kicks UFW Delegation off Property!

TAKE ACTION: Sorrento won't accept petition, kicks UFW delegation off property

Information for this update and action alert comes from the United Farm Workers. For more information: ufwofamer@aol.com.
Posted December 6, 2004

The United Farm Workers thanks those who took a stand to help the dairy workers at Threemile Canyon Farms by signing their online petition. During a two-week period more than 12,000 people signed and added their voices to help these dairy workers.

Unfortunately, when the delegation of farm workers and supporters arrived at Sorrento Lactalis’ headquarters in Buffalo, New York, with the petition last Friday, they were met at the door by a security guard who told them no one was available to meet with them, in spite of prior requests from delegation members for a meeting.

When Estela Ferrer, one of the plaintiffs in the sexual discrimination lawsuit against the dairies, pleaded for the guard to at least take the petition and bring it to the proper authorities he refused and ordered her and the delegation off Sorrento’s property.

Please help us tell Sorrento Lactalis--maker of Precious and Sorrento brand cheeses--that this blatant disregard for the opinion of thousands of consumers is not acceptable.

Since Sorrento officials such as CEO Eric Boutry refused to even see the petition, we’re asking you to e-mail him your comments directly.  Tell him that Sorrento Lactalis should use its influence as a large purchaser of milk produced by Threemile Canyon Farms in Oregon to help resolve this dispute. Tell him as a consumer who purchases cheese that you don’t think this company can continue to ignore the thousands of consumers who care about this issue.

Please send your e-mail today and tell others about this campaign!

Click or cut and paste this URL to send the message: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/SorrentoPetition/76gww54177jii5

Here is the letter to Sorrento CEO Eric Boutry:

As a consumer, I was disappointed to hear that you ignored the voices of more than 12,000 consumers from across America who signed a petition asking you to use your influence to help resolve the problem at Three Mile Canyon Farms. You do your customers a grave injustice by kicking a farm worker delegation off your property and refusing to accept and review a petition that voices our views.

What is happening at the dairies located at Threemile Canyon Farms in Oregon is wrong. Sorrento has a responsibility since it is receiving milk from this dairy to ensure that these workers' rights are respected and that all workers, men and women are equally given the opportunity to work. I don't know why Sorrento has chosen to stay silent and not join other responsible retailers in trying to solve this problem. I support the workers at Threemile Canyon Farms--as well as the women who've been denied employment there--and will work to get the word out as far and wide as I can on their behalf.

I call Sorrento Lactalis, maker of Precious and Sorrento brand cheeses, to use its influence to resolve the situation at the dairy at Threemile Canyon Farms, which supplies your company with milk.

Background

Workers at Threemile Canyon Farm have been struggling to get a contract for the last 20 months. They have been the victims of harassment, retaliation, sex discrimination and ongoing workplace abuse. Of the 150 employees at this dairy, there are two women. It's hard to believe that's a coincidence. Last month, three women filed suit in Oregon against the dairies over sexual discrimination. They had all applied to work but were never been called for a job while men were hired. A fourth woman has joined the suit. These allegations of sexual discrimination are just the latest in a long list of abuses at Threemile Canyon Farms.

Sorrento Lactalis, maker of Precious and Sorrento brand cheeses, currently receives milk produced by Threemile Canyon Farms. Sorrento has refused to use its influence to help resolve this dispute despite requests from Threemile Canyon Farms customers such as Safeway who has called on Sorrento to sit down and negotiate in good faith with the workers' union, the United Farm Workers.