Farmworkers sue labor firms

[Omaha Steve]

http://origin1.montereyherald.com/business/ci_7145368

By CLAUDIA MELÉNDEZ SALINAS
Herald Salinas Bureau
Article Last Updated: 10/11/2007 01:34:08 AM PDT

Two Salinas farmworkers have filed a lawsuit against three local labor contractors for a series of alleged violations to the state labor laws.

Pedro D az Bautista and Jose Zenon Tenorio Moreno are suing their former employers, Premium Packing Inc.; Sea Breeze Harvesting; and Valley Pride, Inc., for failing to pay them overtime, not receiving appropriate breaks, not getting their wages on time, and being asked for money in order to get their jobs, among other claims.

"This is an example of how growers take advantage of immigrant labor," said Cesar Lara, executive director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.


Fritz Conle, Teamsters Local 890, announces a lawsuit against three local labor contractors Wednesday in Salinas. (ORVILLE MYERS/The Herald)


Representatives from the companies said they have not seen the lawsuit and could not respond, or did not return calls seeking comment.

Joe Pezzini, president of Valley Pride, said his company adheres to state wage and labor laws.

"We're good about following overtime regulations, break periods and so forth," Pezzini said. "We're good employers and we treat our people well."

FULL story at link.