Crist meets with farm workers, promises help

Southwest Florida farm workers Wednesday urged Gov. Charlie Crist to act to eliminate slave-labor conditions in agriculture.

Crist said the injustice and arrogance of the situation has angered him, and that he would have a statement on the situation in a few days.

“That concerns me greatly,” Crist said after the meeting. “We want to be a continuing partner to help.”

Earlier this month more than 120 farm workers and protesters rallied at the Capitol and criticized Crist for not meeting with them in person. Crist sent Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon to speak with the group.

Members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers said their meeting with Crist was both cordial and productive.

“It was a very intimate dialogue, but there is a lot of work to do,” said Gerardo Reyes, a CIW member.

The coalition had complained that some workers are forced to work the fields and then chained at night, and they said the workers haven’t received a raise since 1978. They said the average worker makes about $10,000 a year.

They asked Crist to clarify his opposition to such treatment and use his voice to eliminate slavery and low wages.

–Stephen D. Price

Read more…