rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/dept-of-labor-should-side-with-workers?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-dept-of-labor-should-side-with-workers' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO https://actionnetwork.org/groups/farm-labor-organizing-committee-afl-cio https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/102/043/normal/FLOC_Banner_AN.jpg In 2019, dozens of union members employed by six Eastern NC farms stood up against corruption and labor rights abuses and sought negotiations for a union agreement. In the midst of this campaign, the US Dept. of Labor began an investigation, interviewed a small number or workers, told all of the growers they had no need to worry, and closed out a case against the labor contractor in just a few days. Workers were told they would be paid before last November 15th. To date, no one has been paid, the US DOL hasn't initiated any legal proceedings against the labor contractor, all union members have been blacklisted, and DOL refuses to investigate retaliation claims. Instead, US DOL has spent the past five years collaborating with Big Tobacco companies such as Reynolds American, taking what amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind contributions, spending resources schmoozing with tobacco trade groups instead of focusing on enforcing the law, and blocking information showing severe violations of the law in big tobacco supply chains from becoming public. Today, former union members who have been blacklisted from the H2A program are calling on the US DOL to: 1.       Release detailed information about the investigation to the workers involved and their union 2.       Bring a resolution to the Barajas claim by bringing legal action ASAP if Barajas will not pay 3.       Include a real investigation on the retaliation against workers for speaking to DOL 4.      End collaboration with industry players complicit in human rights violations 5.      Release information FLOC requested under the Freedom of Information Act showing what information US DOL has about Reynolds contract growers that have violated federal law Will you stand with us? https://actionnetwork.org/letters/dept-of-labor-should-side-with-workers