Farm workers support their employer at hearing alleging unfair labor practices

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A conference room in a Downtown Fresno hotel is being used as a courtroom by the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. An administrative law judge is hearing the case brought by the board against Gerawan Farming. He will decide if the Reedley based company engaged in unfair labor practices against some of its workers and the United Farm Workers Union. But just across the hall hundreds of farm workers, rallied by two Republican members of the State Assembly and two Fresno City Council members, were told the hearing was biased and unfair.

Assembly Member Jim Patterson of Fresno said he was fighting for workers' rights. Patterson explained, "In this Kangaroo Court they are not getting representation, they are not getting their day in court, they are being absolutely intimidated by a state institution that is biased against them."

After the rally the crowd, lead by Tal Cloud, President of the Conservative Lincoln Club tried to enter the courtroom. The judge ordered the door closed because the room was full. The noise disrupted the proceedings and Fresno Police were called in.

Edgar Aguilasocho, one of the attorneys for the United Farm Workers Union says this was an example of the pressure pro union workers face.

"We believe at least in part its political theater but of course we believe that in large part this is an effort from the petitioner and of course we believe that it's also on behalf of the employer this was an effort to intimidate workers that are coming to give truthful testimony as to what occurred at Gerawan Farming during the period of the decertification petition," said Aguilasocho.

The politicians and this group of farm workers are upset because the votes the workers cast to decertify, or get rid of the union last year have not been counted. The count has been held up because the union and the state believe the vote was illegally tainted by the company's influence. This hearing will determine if there's enough evidence to determine if the vote was fair or not. It's expected to last from three to four months.