Did you know that all major fast-food chains have signed on to treat farmworkers fairly — except for Wendy’s? That’s why I’m joining the boycott led by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Thousands of farmworkers and consumers are demanding that Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program. Learn more and sign on — even if you never set foot in a Wendy’s, your support helps: http://uusc.org/boycottwendys
Dear friend,
After decades of hardship, U.S. tomato pickers are finally earning some dignity from the fast-food industry — from every major chain except Wendy’s, that is.
Last fall, nearly 10,000 UUSC supporters signed a petition to Wendy’s leadership, demanding the company join McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell, and Chipotle in committing to fair treatment and wages.
Now the courageous farmworkers at the Coalition of Immokalee Workers are calling on all people of conscience to boycott Wendy’s. Even if you’ve never set foot inside a Wendy’s, we need your help!
Tell Wendy’s you’re boycotting their chain until they sign on to the Fair Food Program, then spread the word on Facebook — the boycott only works if this becomes a PR nightmare for Wendy’s.
r decades, farm laborers in this country have been treated without dignity and respect. Average wages are $10,000-$12,000 a year, and some farmworkers have historically been subject to abuse, violence, debt bondage, starvation wages, and threats. And that’s mostly been because the public didn’t know about the conditions.
A boycott isn’t something to take lightly — but this is the culmination of 10 years of pressure on Wendy’s. As Coalition of Immokalee Workers member Lupe Gonzalo said, “When companies like Wendy’s remain so stubbornly stuck in the past, committed to a path of empty public relations promises over real human rights protections, we are left with no choice.”
Support the boycott today. Tell Wendy’s you’re joining the boycott — and then share this on Facebook.
For decades, Florida tomato pickers’ lives were threadbare and harsh: low pay, threats of violence, withheld wages, rat-infested camps, and worse. While these conditions continue in some places, farmworkers in Florida have united with growers and major tomato purchasers to end decades of farm labor abuse. The Fair Food Program, launched by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) in Florida, is a groundbreaking social responsibility program that’s been recognized by the United Nations and the White House for bringing together workers, growers, and corporations. It’s helped bring a new day of fair wages and treatment for farmworkers throughout the country.
Since last fall, more than 9,000 UUSC supporters have called on Wendy’s to join the CIW’s Fair Food Program. But Wendy’s continues to refuse to sign and is now actively undermining the program — it has stopped purchasing tomatoes from Florida altogether, providing a market for less reputable growers and profiting all the while.
Even if you’ve never been inside a Wendy’s, we need you to take action. This boycott will only work if it is loud and resounding — if it’s a PR nightmare for management.
Tell Wendy’s that ignoring farm workers is not OK. Tell them you’re boycotting their chain until they sign on to the Fair Food Program, then spread the word on Facebook.
Thanks for standing up for workers and justice today.
Sincerely,
Philip Hamilton
Associate for Economic Justice
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee