Farm Labor Contracts

An unprecedented farm labor contract that would give field workers a say in management decisions faces a vote from workers tonight at Moorpark's Muranaka Farms, said Mario Brito, the regional director for the United Farm Workers. The union hopes to use the agreement as a model for future farm labor contracts, Brito said.

A major iceberg lettuce company and its workers have extended their labor contract for six years. About 3,500 full-time and seasonal employees will get hourly raises of up to 80 cents an hour over the next six years in the extended contract with Bud of California, a subsidiary of Salinas-based Dole Fresh Vegetables. The new agreement also improves job security, said Michael Johnston of Salinas-based Teamsters Local 890.

A major iceberg lettuce company and its workers have extended their labor contract for six years. About 3,500 full-time and seasonal employees will get hourly raises of up to 80 cents an hour over the next six years in the extended contract with Bud of California, a subsidiary of Salinas-based Dole Fresh Vegetables. The new agreement also improves job security, said Michael Johnston of Salinas-based Teamsters Local 890.

An unprecedented farm labor contract that would give field workers a say in management decisions faces a vote from workers tonight at Moorpark's Muranaka Farms, said Mario Brito, the regional director for the United Farm Workers. The union hopes to use the agreement as a model for future farm labor contracts, Brito said.

A promise of pay raises for workers at Muranaka Farms has averted a potentially ruinous strike and given a much needed boost to the beleaguered farm workers union. * While the tentative agreement reached this week covers only a fraction of the workers' demands, union representatives said Friday that a strike seems unlikely if progress continues.