STATEMENT ON

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN FARM LABOR DISPUTES

October 21, 1996

"Because of the closer bonds of human interdependence and their spread over the whole world, we are today witnessing a widening of the role of the common good, which is the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily. The whole human race is consequently involved with regard to the rights and obligations which result. Every group must take into account the needs and legitimate aspirations of every other group, and still more of the human family as a whole." (Guadium et Spes, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Documents of Vatican II)

     The Church clearly recognizes that the solutions to labor disputes are properly rooted in justice, for it is only when we have justice that we can hope to have peace. We are sensitive to the problems of both labor and agriculture and we participate in order to encourage reasoned dialogue and to assist in maintaining an atmosphere of charity.

     The current labor dispute involving the United Farm Workers, mushroom workers and management at Quincy Farms in Quincy, Florida, is a controversy similar to many others in Florida and beyond. The Church contributes to a solution in these struggles by presenting its social teaching on moral and ethical norms relating to economic life and social justice. As the Catholic Bishops of Florida, we speak to the primary principles that should be considered by those involved in these disputes and we offer our assistance in reaching just and peaceful solutions.

Workers
     "Agricultural workers, as a group, are the poorest, and most economically and politically under-represented working people in our country and state."¹ Agricultural work is difficult by nature and has a substantial physical and social impact on workers. Work must be understood as more than just a way to make a living; it is a calling to contribute to life, an avenue to participate in creation. In return for their labor, workers have a fundamental right to a just wage and other benefits sufficient to sustain life and dignity. "The economy exists for the human person, not the other way around."² The rights of agricultural workers to safe working conditions, to receive adequate benefits for themselves and their families, deserve the support and affirmation of the entire community. Real and lasting progress toward full participation in American society will be realized by agricultural workers only when they come to enjoy the basic right afforded to other workers -- namely, the right to freely organize, and if it is their desire, to join or not to join a union, without fear of reprisal.³

     Workers have an obligation to respect the difficult decisions made by employers to further the common good of the whole community, and a responsibility to excel in service and production so as to contribute to this well-being. Agricultural workers and employers must act as partners to achieve peace and stability. This requires resolve on both their parts to negotiate in good faith, to respect the rights of each other and to promote the social well-being of all in the organization.

Employers
     Business owners and employers in the agricultural business should be valued for their contribution to the common good and society as a whole. They are faced with significant responsibilities to both their organizations and their workers. Employers deserve commendation for improvements in the organization of human labor and increased production leading to progress and prosperity in communities. These accomplishments were not theirs alone, however. They have benefitted greatly from human labor and they must respect the well-being and just rights of workers in making economic decisions. Employers are responsible to society for the economic and ecological effects of their operations. Also, they have a special obligation to ensure that the well-being of employees remains in balance with efforts to increase profits. Pursuit of profits is necessary to ensure the future of business and the guarantee of employment; however, basic rights of workers must not be subordinate to production decisions or marketplace opportunities. "Every economic decision and institution must be judged in light of whether it protects or undermines the dignity of the human person."⁴ Employers should provide a just wage and other essential benefits such as, health care, social security, disability and unemployment compensation that will further the dignity of an individual. "The provision of wages and other benefits sufficient to support a family in dignity is a basic necessity to prevent the exploitation of workers."⁵ Employers should strive for collaboration with their workers to establish essential benefits so they in turn can provide sufficient support to their families.

Unions
      The Church is firmly committed to a just social order where tensions are better able to be reduced and conflicts readily settled by negotiation. Unions are called to truly represent and defend the vital interests of workers against exploitation. They can play an important role in furthering economic development and attaining the common good. The struggle they lead, however, must not become a struggle against others or in anyway involve violence. Solutions must be rooted in justice and further the common good of workers, employers and the community.

     Unions, in their proper role, contribute to a just order, protect the rights of workers and unite people with a vision of solidarity. They "defend workers' rights and protect their interests as persons while fulfilling a vital cultural role so as to enable workers to participate more fully and honorably ... and assist them along the path of development."⁶ Their purpose "is not simply to defend the existing wages and prerogatives of the fraction of workers who belong to them, but also to enable workers to make positive and creative contributions to a company, the community, and the larger society in an organized and cooperative way."⁷ Demands of the unions are not to be turned into a class struggle but, instead, aim at correcting injustice with a view toward restoring peace and stability. Guaranteeing workers' rights "calls for imaginative vision and creative new steps, not reactive or simply defensive strategies."⁸

Conclusion
Interests of labor and management may at times be opposed to one another. Responsible employers will take the lead in arranging negotiation that respects the rights and duties of both parties. Workers should be sensitive to circumstances and obstacles beyond the control of management that limit an otherwise sincere willingness to provide increased benefits. Employers for their part are called to assure the rights of workers to wages and benefits sufficient to sustain life and personal dignity. Unions must exercise creative leadership, working with labor and management to solve conflicts, alleviating not causing dissension. A free market economy and laws in this state give employers an edge in bargaining power. Fair minded employers will not abuse this advantage. Solutions to labor disputes call for certain behaviors rooted in justice on the part of all involved -- workers, employers, unions and the community. Many will accept this principle. The just will be guided by it.

John C. Favalora
Archbishop of Miami

John J. Snyder
Bishop of St. Augustine

John J. Nevins
Bishop of Venice

J. Keith Symons
Bishop of Palm Beach

Norbert M. Dorsey, C.P.
Bishop of Orlando

Robert N. Lynch
Bishop of St. Petersburg

Agustin A. Roman
Auxiliary Bishop of Miami

Endnotes
1. Justice and Equality in Florida, Florida Bishops, 1989.

2. Political Responsibility: Proclaiming the Gospel of Life, Protecting the Least Among Us, and Pursuing the Common Good, United States Catholic Conference, 1996.

3. Agricultural Workers in Florida, Florida Bishops, 1981.

4. Economic Justice for All, Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1986.

5. Economic Justice for All.

6. Laborem Exercens, Encyclical on Human Work by Pope John II, 1981.

7. Centesimus Annus, Encyclical on the 100th Anniversary of "Rerum Novarum" by Pope John Paul II, May 1991.

8. Economic Justice for All.