The Future of Labor in Wine Country

 Does the success of our local industries rely on the poverty of their essential workers? This is the question I always return to as I learn more about the widespread housing, health, education, and income struggles of our regional farm workers.

The fact is that we have been in a stalemated situation regarding worker welfare (and the lack thereof) in Wine Country for as long as I can remember. But now things are starting to open up as the labor movement gathers new steam nationwide.

Recently, we have seen a series of headlines where farm workers and their allies are celebrating legal victories because they are, at long last, finding the strength to stand up and defend their rights. I recently spoke at one of these celebrations and was inspired to hear the workers there speaking of a new sense of bravery and willingness to bring their employers to negotiations -this time with skilled allies, legal aid, and the law itself at their side.  Support comes from, but is not limited to, The Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Sonoma Legal Aid, North Bay Jobs with Justice, The North Bay Labor Council, North Bay Organizing Project and local unions such as SEIU and the Teamsters.

It’s not going to be an easy transition. You can find good and bad actors on both sides of the table. The process of institutionalizing worker negotiations will sometimes be a rocky one, with bruises incurred on both sides. I want everyone involved to take heed of this fact and to avoid the tendency to villainize the other side as we embark on this journey together. Everyone needs to proceed with allegiance to the values of honesty, open communication, collaboration, and respect. These are values that need to be adhered to throughout the process and in service of the overarching value of community. Let’s work towards “A revolution with no bad guys” as my friend, filmmaker Ela Thier calls it.

But a revolution nonetheless. Any nostalgia for the status quo that has ruled the region for generations has to be overcome. A new era of worker respect will require sacrifice and a new vision of collaboration and openness between employees and employers.

The motivation for this change can be found all around us. Wage disparity lurks at the core of many of our most pressing social problems. Locally (in Healdsburg) we are making strides against homelessness and towards new affordable housing options and affordable child care. Our schools, libraries, local non-profits, and other institutions are rising to the challenge of addressing the scourge of poverty in our community. But it’s not enough to just address the symptoms. True progress towards workplace safety, greater economic equity and a self-supporting community can only be found at the negotiating table.  Si Se Puede!