Growers warned about ‘radical activist groups’

BCFGA says activists attempting to cause problems with farm workers

Radical labour activists have begun sneaking onto Okanagan farms to sow dissension among farm workers, the BC Fruit Growers’ Association says.

“BCFGA recently received two reports of individuals from radical activist groups threatening or interfering with grower operations,” the association is advising its 450 members.

“In both of the recent instances, the activists sought to extract concessions directly from the employer,” according to the notice to growers, sent last Friday.

“These activists wish to identify and even create problems with Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program workers on your farm,” a May 11 advisory to growers stated.

In its messages to members, the BCFGA does not identify the organization which allegedly is sending its members onto farms. However, a Vernon-based group called Radical Action with Migrants in Agriculture disputes that its association does anything improper.

RAMA spokesperson Christine Mettler says the 60member group advises farm workers of their rights, offers English lessons, organizes social events such as soccer games and beach barbecues, and tries to help them adjust to life in Canada.

“We do a lot of support work, which can be anything from doing (WorkSafeBC) claims or appeals, taking workers to the doctor, filing human rights cases, filing for parental benefits, etc,” Mettler wrote in an email. “Sometimes workers ask us to take issues to the media.

“We also develop materials for workers in both languages so that they know their rights (health and safety, human rights, housing rights) because we find many workers do not know their rights,” Mettler says.

“Sometimes when they find out what those rights are, it can be very frustrating, because many have those rights violated,” she says. “But they are afraid of recourse.”

The Mexicans are brought to Canada by the farmers, who pay their airfare and provide them with housing under a federal program that’s been around for decades. It’s overseen by federal and provincial officials, as well as representatives from the Mexican government.