• Are often fired if they become pregnant;
• Work up to 80 hours/week without overtime pay;
• Earn less than $180/month--as little as 56 cents per hour--not enough to live on!

SEND A LETTER to President John Amaya and

SUPPORT WORKING MOTHERS this
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 12:00 at Dole Fresh Flowers, 10055 NW 12th Street

Demand that Dole--the largest employer of flower workers--negotiate with the Sintrasplendor union!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

This Mother's Day, please keep your promise and ensure that the Dole Fresh Flowers Company respects basic labor rights at its Colombian flower plantations.

I am aware that over 700 [mostly female] workers at Dole?s Splendor flower plantation in Facatativá, Colombia formed an independent and democratic trade union named Sintrasplendor, with the support of Untraflores, an independent industrial union of flower workers, in late 2004.

I am disappointed to hear that these working mothers report that Dole has conducted a vigorous anti-union campaign that has included bringing in a company-backed union, firing union leaders, challenging the union's legal registration with the Colombian government, refusing to reinstate fired union leaders despite court orders to do so, and reneging on an agreement to negotiate in good faith.

Workers have reported poor working conditions, including forced overtime (often without compensation), miscarriages that they suspected are linked to strenuous work during pregnancy, and not being able to take leave even when family members were on their death beds.

Please ensure that your flowers are truly symbols of love--a mother's love--and not abuse, by negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with Sintrasplendor and ensuring the basic fundamental rights of all Dole employees.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 10, 2006