Support for Yamada’s Campaign Growing, Heading to Election Day
(From Press Release) Today, Mariko Yamada’s campaign for State Senate District 3 announced the sole endorsement of the United Farm Workers (UFW), an organization dedicated to organizing and taking action to protect the rights of agricultural workers. Formed in 1962 by Cesar Chavez and Filipino farmworker leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, it is the nation’s first and largest farm worker union in the country.
UFW’s announcement comes on the heels of the passage of AB 1066, which granted farm worker overtime, an issue that Yamada supported throughout her six years in the California State Assembly. This year, she was a front line AB 1066 advocate in Sacramento. UFW adds to Yamada’s list of advocacy groups and labor unions standing with her in her race for the California State Senate District 3, including the California Nurses Association, SEIU California, National Union of Healthcare Workers, California Federation of Teachers, AFSCME Council 57 and the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians.
Arturo Rodriguez, President of the United Farm Workers, said, “As an elected official, Mariko worked diligently to improve the lives of working families. As an organization, we greatly appreciate the tenacity and leadership she demonstrated in her work.”
He continued, “Mariko’s background and proven commitment ensures she will continue to advocate for the dignity and respect of working families. Mariko’s moral integrity is commendable and we are proud to endorse her candidacy.”
“I am honored by the endorsement of this longtime worker’s rights organization,” Yamada said. “To have the support of those who work some of most difficult jobs in our state is deeply humbling. I celebrate their long overdue victory in passing overtime for farm workers in California, and thank Governor Brown for signing AB 1066 into law. As a member of the State Senate, I will continue to stand for the most vulnerable in our communities.”
UFW joins a broad coalition of support that includes the California Nurses Association, California Federation of Teachers, League of Conservation Voters, EMILY’s List, California Women’s List, National Women’s Political Caucus, Equality California, local Democratic clubs and Democratic leaders State Controller Betty Yee, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Treasurer John Chiang, Congressman John Garamendi, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (Ret.), and hundreds of elected officials and community leaders throughout California.
