Episode 102: RWDSU Local 338, Organizing Farmworkers in New York State

The Checkout speak with Noemi Barrera, a union organizer with Local 338, and Rodolfo Mendez, a farmworker at Pindar Vineyards who recently joined RWDSU’s first farmworker union in New York State.

The Checkout is proud to platform the voices of frontline food system workers, including organizers and farmworkers. Farm work lacks the basic labor protections that the rest of us take for granted and is mostly performed by immigrant and guest workers of Latin, Black and Asian descent. The food system would not function without farmworkers yet their efforts are undervalued, invisible and exploited for profit by all sectors of the food system. We hope you enjoy this brief yet powerful episode.

Follow The Checkout on Facebook - Instagram - Twitter.

Stream The Checkout on Apple Podcasts - Spotify - Stitcher - Google Podcast

RWDSU Notes

1:00 – What is it like being a farmworker in New York State, especially during COVID? How have workers been organizing?

4:00 - What value do you find in being unionized? What are the challenges of it?

6:00 - What is the future of your union?

11:00 - Closing thoughts.