Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
The Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) is demanding tobacco company Reynolds American comply with the federal government’s health and safety recommendations to save farmworkers in North Carolina from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Now is the time to stop allowing wealthy corporations like Reynolds American to continue making billions off of the labor of farmworkers while refusing to do anything to support our communities during a crisis,” said FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez. “All of the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] recommendations require significant investments of money to comply with in agriculture, and these corporations have failed in their responsibility to save lives in the supply chains they created. Reynolds could meet with farmworkers and commit to funding additional housing and transportation to limit crowding and fund paid leave to incentivize compliance with CDC guidelines.” Sign the petition here.