08421
May 30, 2008
Stated Clerk commends CIW and Burger King on ‘historic’ agreement
 The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick LOUISVILLE – The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, has issued a statement commending the church-backed Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) on its recent deal with hamburger-giant Burger King Corporation (BKC).
After a contentious battle, Burger King Corp. announced May 23 it had reached an agreement with the CIW to improve the wages and working conditions of tomato pickers in Florida.
Under the deal, Burger King agreed to pay an additional penny-per-pound for Florida tomatoes to increase wages of the farmworkers. The extra penny would add about $20 to a daily wage of $50, farmworkers have said.
The Immokalee, FL-based CIW, which receives support from the PC(USA) and other faith groups, has been pressuring Burger King and other food industry leaders to pay a penny more a pound to farmworkers harvesting tomatoes and to improve work conditions.
Kirkpatrick said the agreement “stands as a plumb line of justice, granting a needed wage increase, establishing zero tolerance for illegal acts and involving farmworkers in the creation and enforcement of a strong code of conduct for suppliers.”
To encourage grower participation in the increased wage program, Burger King will also fund incremental payroll taxes and administrative costs incurred by the growers as a result of their farmworkers’ increased wages, or a total of 1.5 cents per pound of tomatoes.
Burger King Corp. also joins other fast-food industry leaders and the CIW in calling for an industry-wide penny-per-pound surcharge to increase wages for Florida tomato harvesters.
“Through this historic agreement, the Burger King Corporation has demonstrated to its customers and to its suppliers that it is determined to use its considerable power to elevate human rights standards for farmworkers,” Kirkpatrick said.
The full text of Kirkpatrick’s statement:
On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I write to commend the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Burger King Corporation on their recent agreement to dramatically improve farmworkers wages and working conditions in the tomato fields of Florida. The agreement stands as a plumb line of justice, granting a needed wage increase, establishing zero tolerance for illegal acts, and involving farmworkers in the creation and enforcement of a strong code of conduct for suppliers.
The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) led a principled campaign in the face of attacks to their integrity and accomplishments. Their courage and dedication have inspired millions of consumers across the nation to demand a new era of accountability, transparency and human rights within the retail food and agricultural industries.
Through this historic agreement, the Burger King Corporation has demonstrated to its customers and to its suppliers that it is determined to use its considerable power to elevate human rights standards for farmworkers. Burger King’s commitment sends an unmistakable message to other fast-food and grocery corporations that continue to tarry on the sidelines of history. Do not delay any longer! Now is the time for the entire retail food industry to join Burger King, McDonald’s, and Yum! Brands and work with the CIW to abolish human rights abuses together.
I particularly applaud Burger King CEO John Chidsey for publicly apologizing for derogatory statements made by Burger King spokespeople about the CIW and for admitting these statements were wrong. Such an apology was appropriate and necessary. It bespeaks the seriousness with which Burger King is undertaking this new partnership with the CIW. His honesty has raised the bar of integrity among corporate leaders. The church expects that with Mr. Chidsey’s vigilant leadership, the concrete gains of this agreement will be swiftly and fully realized.
The PC(USA) celebrates this momentous agreement between Burger King Corporation and the CIW. It is indeed “good news” for the hardworking men and women of Immokalee, but it is also good news for Burger King, for the agricultural industry and for consumers across America. Together let us press onward with hope and determination, toward that soon-coming day when these gains for human rights and socially responsible purchasing will be realized throughout the food industry.
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