FLOC members and elected officials appreciate all the work that the summer organizers have done for the “Respect, Recognition, and Raise” campaign. “The work that everyone did is the toughest work in any campaign, and that work is breaking ground.” Said Baldemar Velasquez, FLOC President.
Summer organizers began in late June, and in just six weeks reached more than 5,000 agricultural workers, signing up 1,000 new members to the union. Hitting the labor camps in Eastern NC six days a week, talking with farm workers about their rights and their place in the tobacco supply chain, these brave organizers faced intimidation and a daunting task with great strength. Now with 1,000 new members, we continue the campaign for Respect, Recognition, and a Raise. We wish all of the freedom fighters the best, and hope that all summer organizers continue fighting for justice wherever they go.
“FLOC members tasked us with a very difficult mission this year, but not an impossible mission, and we have the summer organizers to thank for leading the way under some difficult circumstances” said Oscar Sanchez, RRR Campaign Lead.
We would like to thank the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute, the Office and Proffesional Employees International Union (OPEIU) and The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for providing full time organizer, and to all the International Unions who made this campaign possible.