Giant tree fruit grower suggests suing Berkeley over resolution supporting Fresno workers

Joining at a 6:30 p.m. news conference before today’s 7 p.m. City Council meeting will be United Farm Workers National Vice President Armando Elenes, a number of Gerawan workers from Fresno County, councilmembers and community supporters, all on the steps of the Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley 94704.

Agricultural Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge Mark R. Soble began Monday to hear what could be months of sworn testimony on sweeping indictments from state prosecutors charging Gerawan with multiple, serious and repeated violations of the law aimed at “prevent[ing] the [United Farm Workers] from ever representing its employees under a [union contract]” and at decertifying, or getting rid, of the UFW, according to the ALRB general counsel, which issued the allegations.

Meantime, attorneys for Gerawan sent Councilmembers Kriss Worthington, Jesse Arreguin and Linda Maio a letter on Sept. 27, citing alleged “defamatory statements” in the proposed council resolution and warning them the “republication of libelous statements, whether in newsletters, press releases, constituent updates, or speeches outside the legislative chamber, is not immunized from liability or shielded by” constitutional guarantees of free speech and debate.

For text and analysis of the resolution, Consent Item 28 “Calling on Gerawan Farming to Respect the Law” by Councilmembers Arreguin, Worthington and Maio, go to that item on Page 315 at http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/2014/09_Sep/City_Council__09-30-2014_-_Regular_Meeting_Agenda.aspx


September 30, 2014
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