Boycott Taco Bell!

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers is a mutli-ethnic, community-based workers organization in southwest Florida. Immokalee is the largest farmworker community in Florida and most of CIW's members are farmworkers.

CIW began the boycott against Taco Bell in 2001 as part of its fight for justice for Florida's farm workers.

Florida farm workers pick tomatoes for growers who sell to Taco Bell. For their efforts workers are paid 40 to 50 cents for a 32-pound bucket of tomatoes. Tomato growers are increasingly multi-state corporate operations. For example, Six L's Packing Co., Inc., based in Immokalee, is one of the largest tomato producers in the USA, and a contractor to Taco Bell (according to the trade journal The Packer). This outfit pays 40 cents per each 32-pound bucket -- the same piece rate that was paid in 1978.

At this rate, workers must pick 2 tons of tomatoes to earn $50. Immokalee workers say they cannot live a dignified life at this pay rate. Workers are denied the right to organize, receive no overtime pay, no health insurance, no sick leave, no holiday or vacation pay, and no pension.

Taco Bell has so far refused to accept any responsibility for the conditions of the workers who pick their tomatoes.

Why the focus on Taco Bell?

Taco Bell is owned by Yum, Inc. which also owns Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, A & W, and Long John Silver's. With 30,000 restaurants world-wide, Yum, Inc. claims to be "the world's largest restaurant chain" (in numbers of restaurants). In 2001 Taco Bell had $5 billion in sales, and Yum, Inc. raked in over $22 billion.

The sheer market clout of Taco Bell gives them the potential to bring improved conditions to the tomato fields. A one-penny per pound increase in the piece rate would nearly double the pay earned by farm workers. Even if Taco Bell tried to pass on the cost to consumers, this would raise the cost of a Chalupa at Taco Bell by only one-fourth of one cent.

CIW is asking for:

(1) An immediate pay raise for farm workers by raising the piece rate for tomatoes;

(2) A three-way negotiation/dialogue between the CIW, the growers, and Taco Bell;

(3) Development of strict standards for working conditions to be required of of all Taco Bell tomato suppliers, including the right to a living wage, and the right to organize without fear of retaliation.

For more information about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and news about the Taco Bell boycott, go to:

CIW Web Site.