Protect the Secret Ballot No on AB 616
Special interests in Sacramento are pushing legislation that eliminates farmworkers’ right to a secret ballot and private choice when they vote whether to join a union.
Assembly Bill 616 eliminates farmworkers’ right to a secret ballot in union elections
Under current California law, farmworkers use a secret ballot to vote whether to join a union. This is to ensure the privacy of their choice and so neither unions nor employers can exert undue influence or pressure on their decision. This process has served to protect farmworks’ right to a fair and secret election since first cemented into state law in 1975.
Now, farmworkers’ right to the secret ballot is under attack. AB 616 eliminates the current election process and erases farmworkers’ right to a secret ballot. We all have the right to a secret ballot in our elections – farmworkers should have the same right when they vote in union elections.
Tell your legislator to protect the secret ballot and oppose AB 616.
Urge Governor Newsom:
Veto AB 616
AB 616 will destroy the right to secret ballots in union elections
AB 616 eliminates the secret ballot in union elections for farmworkers
The secret ballot is a hallmark of American elections because it protects our fundamental right to choose who we want to represent us. The secret ballot plays the same important role in farmworker union elections under existing California law.
AB 616 eliminates the secret ballot in farmworker union elections, compromising farmworkers’ privacy and exposing them to pressure and coercion as they choose whether to join a union. Farm employees should not have to reveal to anyone – employers or unions – how they vote.
AB 616 eliminates opportunities for many farmworkers to vote
Under existing law, polling places are set up and available for all farmworkers who want to vote in a union election. Under AB 616, unions pick and choose which farmworkers get vote cards they collect, so many farmworkers may not even get the opportunity to choose whether to join the union.
AB 616 does not require the vote cards to have a “no union” option, so farmworkers won’t even have the opportunity or choice to vote no.
AB 616 compromises the integrity of ballots in union elections
AB 616 explicitly allows union organizers to fill out the ballot postcards for farmworkers, and only requires the farmworker to sign their name. This undermines the integrity of the election and farmworkers’ ballot.
California already has the strongest labor protection laws for farm employees in the country, including minimum wage and fair union elections with the secret ballot. It is critical we keep these elections fair, impartial and free from pressure by either side.
Opposed to AB 616
AB 616 is opposed by California family farmers and ranchers and a growing number of other organizations and employers throughout the state.
A partial list of groups opposed to AB 616 includes:
- African American Farmers of California
- Agricultural Council of California
- American Pistachio Growers
- California Association of Winegrape Growers
- California Business Roundtable
- California Chamber of Commerce
- California Citrus Mutual
- California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations
- California Farm Bureau Federation
- California Fresh Fruit Association
- California Restaurant Association
- California Strawberry Commission
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California - Nisei Farmers League
- Western Agricultural Processors Association
- Western Growers Association