Date: 1980-07-21
Description: On July 18, 1980, the CFU, after a secret vote, was certified by the Labour Relations Board of BC to represent the farmworkers at Jensen Mushroom Farm in Langley, BC.
Date: 1980-05-30
Description: Certification vote took place almost one year later on March 31, 1981.
Date: 1981-04-14
Name(s): Quail, James
Description: The letter describes the intimidation and threats by one RCMP Officer towards a group of women farm workers. Arriving late the Officer was responding to the physical assault of CFU President Raj Chouhan while walking the picket line at Jensen Mushroom Farm.
Date: 1983-07-08
Name(s): Boal, Sarwan, Cavanaugh, Judy
Description: CFU leaflet appeals to unionized workers leading up to the de-certification vote. CFU is decertified at Jensen Mushroom Farm on Nov 11, 1985. This was CFUs first certification in July 1980. This unit had a tumultuous history. Lengthy negotiations ended in a 15 month bitter strike. The farm opened again in Sept 1982. Less than 50% of the pro-union supporters returned to work. Between Sept 1982 - April 1983 over 70 people had been on the payroll before a workforce of 47 was in place at…
Date: 1981-04-14
Name(s): Chouhan, Raj
Description: Raj's makes a formal statement of assault while on the Jensen Mushroom Farm picket line in the Fraser Valley, BC.
Date: 1981-04-14
Name(s): Roy, Sandi
Description: CFU Ontario rep makes a formal statement of assault while on the Jensen Mushroom Farms picket line in the Fraser Valley, BC. She witnesses CFU President Raj Chouhan being physically assaulted by the growers family.
Date: 1983-07-01
Name(s): Boal, Sarwan, Cavanaugh, Judy
Description: This CFU leaflet explains some of the benefits to keep the union, and explains the voting procedures.
Date: 1981-04-14
Description: CFU's second strike started at Jensen's Mushroom Farm after a eight months of negotiations failed to achieve a first contract. A contract was signed July 30, 1982. The farm resumed operations in September. Problems with the unit commenced immediately. After a 15 month strike 7 union supporters and 7 non-union advocates returned to the job.
Date: 1983-05-03
Description: A provincial BC LRB investigative report based on interviewing 32 of 42 employees, and includes comments from both pro-union and anti-union workers. The LRB investigator concludes with reservations to allow the de-certification vote to proceed.
Date: 1983-05-13
Name(s): Rush, Stuart
Description: CFU lawyer reponds to de-certification application letter signed by 27 employees. The letter reviews the difficult history at this farm including a long strike. Second letter is dated May 20, 1983.
Date: 1980-06-18
Name(s): Cavanaugh, Judy, McCool, Carolyn
Description: A letter of complaint regarding unfair labour practices at Jensen Mushroom Farm Ltd, and requesting expeditious resolution to the application for certification May 30, 1980. Also attached is the affidavit by CFU staff rep Judy Cavanagh outlining the supervisor's threats and intimidation towards new CFU members at the mushroom farm, including a request for back wages for a disciplined worker. Also attached Supervisor's disciplinary letter to the employee.
Date: 1980-07-01
Description: The mushroom grower's lawyer presents a rejection of the application for certification by claiming that the CFU is not a bona fide union to-date. Also, requests cease and desist of alleged unfair labour practice by CFU during organizing campaign.
Date: 1983-08-24
Name(s): Calderwood, C. J.
Description: Provincial ministry investigative report concerning CFU's allegations of unfair labour practices when the union attempted to sign up employees for union membership. Includes summary interviews with non-union employees.
Date: 1981-05-22
Name(s): Chouhan, Raj
Description: A letter is in response to a newspaper article concerning the CFU strike at Jensen Mushroom Farms in Langley, BC. The letter points out that the workers are striking for issues such as statutory holidays that other workers receive under employment standards laws, but farmworkers are excluded from under provincial law. Also, how immigrant women are exploited and made to work for very low wages.
Date: 1981-07-06
Description: This log book notes the fire damage of the CFU trailer on the picket line at Jensen Mushroom Farm.
