Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Farmworkers operating heavy equipment harvesting carrots at Fraser Valley Frozen Foods. On June 28, 1983, the Canadian Farmworkers' Union signed a two-year contract representing 60 farmworkers, mostly of European origin, at Fraser Valley Frozen Foods. The contracts 1984 hourly wage rates were $6.24 - $10.21, the average rate $7.58. Chilliwack, British Columbia. October 1983. Photo 15 of 30.
Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Tractor operator at Fraser Valley Frozen Foods. In 1989, the company and the union signed a landmark three-year contract. For the first time, the contract included provision for the federal Workplace Hazardous Material Information (WHMIS) program. While the contract still allowed the use of pesticides, farm workers would be trained in their safe application and could refuse to spray pesticides without fear of employer retribution. Chilliwack, British Columbia. October 1983. Photo 16 of 30.
Date: 1983-03-22
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Raj Chouhan, president, Canadian Farmworkers' Union, and Judy Cavanagh, staff representative, rally at the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) Headquarters. The union demanded that farmworkers receive equal treatment as all other workers, and be covered under WCB health and safety regulations. In October 1982, a coroner's jury decided that the pesticide poisoning death of farmworker Jarnail Singh Deol was a "preventable homicide." The coroner's jury blamed Deol's death on "ignorance and a lack of…
Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Field worker harvesting cauliflower with a machete. Abbotsford, British Columbia. October 1983. Photo 18 of 30.
Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: After cutting, the field worker throws the cauliflower to the packing truck. Abbotsford, British Columbia. October 1983. Photo 19 of 30.
Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: A crew of field workers catch their breath at the packing truck during the cauliflower harvest. Abbotsford, British Columbia. October 1983. Photo 20 of 30.
Date: 1983-10-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Usually women worked the cutting tables set up in the cauliflower fields. In 1983, the pressure of a public campaign mounted by the union to include BC's 13,000 farmworkers in health and safety regulations pushed the province to allow on-the-job injury claims for workers' compensation. But, farmworkers were still excluded from health and safety regulations. In 1983, the BC Medical Association called for "far-reaching and badly-needed safeguards" for farmworkers exposed to pesticides. Abbotsford…
Date: 1983-03-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Two elderly farmworkers in their south Vancouver home take a break from their English as a Second Language lessons. From January to May 1983, the Canadian Farmworkers' Union ran E.S.L. classes in the homes of farmworkers that were taught by volunteer teachers. The students were mainly older women and they showed a great desire to learn English. South Vancouver, British Columbia. March 1983. Photo 22 of 30.
Date: 1983-03-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: A volunteer tutor uses 'problem-posing' drawings to deal with issues like "Bringing Strawberries to the Scales." The union recognized that one of the major stumbling blocks for many elderly farmworkers was not being able to speak and understand English. Working with the BC Teachers' Federation and Frontier College, the union developed the E.S.L Crusade that focused on the practical English that workers needed to learn for their farmwork jobs, such as the handling of pesticides. South Vancouver…
Date: 1983-03-01
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: A volunteer tutor teaches counting in English to a farmworker in her home. Many women were reluctant to leave their homes for classes. Many also had a lack of time available between the double duty of farmwork and housework. South Vancouver, British Columbia. March 1983. Photo 24 of 30.
Date: 1984-05-06
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: An E.S.L graduate holds her A Time to Learn, A Time to Grow certificate at the annual graduation ceremony. The second year of the Farmworkers' E.S.L. Crusade saw enrollment double with over 40 farmworkers and 10 volunteer tutors. Sunset Community Centre, South Vancouver. British Columbia. May 1984. Photo 25 of 30.
Date: 1983-04-10
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: The legendary union leader Cesar Chavez, president of the United Farm Workers' of America (UFW) (center left) and Raj Chouhan, founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers' Union (CFU) (center right) lead a major rally demanding health and safety regulations for farmworkers. Cambie Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. April 10, 1983. Photo 26 of 30.
Date: 1983-04-10
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Raj Chouhan, CFU president (left) and Cesar Chavez, UFW president, (right) relax after speeches. Cesar Chavez was renowned for leading non-violent protest in the farmworkers' struggle for equality and justice. Cesar provided regular counsel and advice to the members and staff of the Canadian Farmworkers' Union. Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia. April 10, 1983. Photo 27 of 30.
Date: 1983-04-10
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: From January to March 1983, the "CFU participated in a WCB sub-committee which was established to draft guidelines for pesticide regulations in the agricultural industry. These guidelines were completed." However on March 10, the Social Credit BC provincial government reversed its announcement from a year ago and "removed the enforcement of WCB health and safety regulations for the agricultural industry. In their place, they suggested establishing an educational Farm Safety Agency." The CFU…
Date: 1983-04-10
Name(s): Berggold, Craig
Description: Picket signs after the rally. Robson Square, Vancouver, British Columbia. April 10, 1983. Photo 29 of 30.
