Today’s edition of Labor 131, presented by the National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, features Charlie Fanning, Assistant Professor of History at Florida Southern College, who joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the history of farm worker organizing in Florida, the impact of immigration policies on labor rights and innovative strategies employed by workers to improve conditions.
Fanning explored the complex history of farm worker organizing in Florida during the 1960s and 1970s. He highlighted the initial success of the United Farm Workers in organizing Coca-Cola's Minute Maid operations in 1972, but noted the challenges faced by the union due to entrenched grower resistance and leadership issues. Fanning explained how growers responded to organizing efforts by expanding their labor recruitment networks, increasingly relying on immigrant workers from Mexico and Central America, which made the workforce more vulnerable to exploitation and deportation threats.
The historian then detailed how immigration policies, particularly the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, inadvertently led to more complex and exploitative labor arrangements. Growers began using multiple layers of subcontractors to shield themselves from employer sanctions, making it harder for workers to address grievances or organize effectively. Fanning drew parallels between past detention practices, such as the Krome Detention Center and current controversial facilities like “Alligator Alcatraz,” highlighting a long-standing pattern of using South Florida as a proving ground for punitive immigration policies.
Despite these challenges, Fanning emphasized the resilience and innovation of farm worker organizations. He highlighted the success of groups like the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, which pioneered supply chain organizing strategies and the Farm Workers Association of Florida, which combined labor rights with environmental justice concerns. These organizations have significantly improved working conditions and labor standards, demonstrating the potential for creative organizing tactics even in hostile political environments.
Listen to the full episode for a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle for farm worker rights in Florida and the innovative strategies employed to combat exploitation.