May 28, 2007

ISSUE 1168

TOMATO GROWERS EXCHANGE WARNS MEMBERS ABOUT LABOR DEALS

Citing legal concerns over federal and state laws relating to antitrust, labor and racketeering, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange strongly urged its members May 24 not to participate in any labor deal that requires tomato companies to adhere to terms and conditions for its employees set by unaffiliated organizations.

"After receiving multiple legal opinions expressing alarm about the much-publicized deals that involve our industry's workers, our legal counsel recommends that our members not participate in them," said Reggie Brown, executive vice president, Florida Tomato Growers Exchange.

"Involvement in such a potentially unlawful sales enterprise with unaffiliated third parties is not an option for any American farmer and should not be an option for restaurant and retail companies," said Brown.

ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP

(Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.)