Wealthy agricultural dynasty in California plans to close down a farm that the United Farm Workers (UFW) aimed to organize as a union

Wealthy agricultural dynasty in California plans to close down a farm that the United Farm Workers (UFW) aimed to organize as a union

Wonderful Co.'s Wasco Nursery to Close Amid Unionization Effort

Wonderful Co., one of California's largest agricultural employers, has announced the closure of its grape nursery in Wasco, northwest of Bakersfield, by the end of 2025. The company cites significant business losses and a downturn in the table and wine grape industry as the reasons for the closure [1][2].

However, the unionization effort by the United Farm Workers (UFW) at Wonderful Co.'s Wasco nursery remains contested. The UFW submitted 327 authorization cards for union representation among about 600 employees, but around 150 workers claimed they did not understand what they were signing and alleged that UFW used federal relief money as a bait to gain signatures [1][4].

Wonderful Co. is contesting the union election results certified by the state and claims many workers opposed unionization, alleging some signatures were obtained under misleading circumstances [4]. The Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) has been involved, with charges filed against Wonderful Co. for unfair labor practices, including compelling workers to attend meetings intended to revoke their authorization cards [4].

The closure of the nursery will result in the loss of jobs for hundreds of employees, including those supportive of the UFW effort to unionize the workforce. Workers will have an opportunity to apply for other Wonderful worksites during the phasedown of the grape nursery [1][2].

The table and wine grape industry is in a major downturn, leading to significantly decreased sales and record losses for nurseries like Wonderful Nurseries [3]. The UFW has suggested that workers were paid to protest against the unionization effort in the past [3]. A former Wonderful worker admitted paying employees to protest against the UFW union drive, an issue that adds tension to the labor dispute but does not directly affect the union status at this moment [3].

The state law that allows unions to organize farmworkers by inviting them to sign authorization cards without notifying their employer has revitalized the UFW's organizing efforts [2]. The nursery will only employ about 20 workers moving forward, with most of the 1,400-acre farm being donated to UC Davis [1][2]. UC Davis will form an implementation committee to plan the use of the facility after taking control [1].

The timing of shutting down the Wasco nursery has been questioned, with some suggesting it is part of an anti-unionism playbook. Rosa M. Silva, a Wonderful Nurseries worker, rallied outside the Hammer Museum and questioned the fairness of the company's wages and benefits [1].

The UFW has won a key legal victory in its effort to organize the workforce at the nursery, but some are questioning the timing of the layoffs [1]. Ana Padilla, executive director of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, has stated that the Central Valley has been blanketed with anti-union messaging [3].

In summary, the unionization effort by UFW at Wonderful Co.’s Wasco nursery remains contested amid company challenges and legal actions, but the majority nursery operation is closing, which effectively halts large-scale unionization at that site. A much smaller operation will continue, employing far fewer people [1][2][4].

1. Despite the closure of its Wasco Nursery in California by Wonderful Co., the unionization effort by the United Farm Workers (UFW) persists, fueled by ongoing contention and legal battles.
2. The losses in the table and wine grape industry have significantly impacted Wonderful Co., leading to the closure of the Wasco Nursery, but the UFW argues that the company's financial difficulties were used to discourage unionization.
3. The UFW suggests that workers were persuaded to protest against unionization in the past, an allegation that adds tension to the labor dispute but does not directly affect the union status at present.
4. In the aftermath of the Wasco Nursery closure, hundreds of employees will lose their jobs, including those supportive of the UFW's unionization efforts.
5. The state law enabling unions to organize farmworkers through authorization cards has revitalized the UFW's organizing efforts, attracting both support and backlash, particularly in the Central Valley.
6. The timing of the Wasco Nursery closure has been questioned by some, with suspicions that it is part of a broader anti-unionism strategy, and the UFW continues to press for fair wages and benefits for workers in the industry, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the finance and law sectors.

Read also: