Workers in Immokalee, Florida have won an important victory over Subway, compelling the fast food giant to impose an industry wide surcharge on tomatoes to increase wages for tomato pickers. Workers will now receive 72 to 77 cents for every 32-pound bucket of tomatoes, up from 40 cents. According to Cruz Salucio of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, wages have been stagnant since 1978 and the victory is a product of local organizing, community radio, and weekly meetings. When every buyer participates, he says, workers’ wages will nearly double. Now that they’ve taken on the big fast food chains—Taco Bell, McDonalds, and Burger King—they have their eyes on the big supermarket chains. You can find more information at the coalition’s website.
