In a bold move and just 8 months after their recent Taco Bell victory, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers has turned towards global giant McDonald's.

Last March the CIW won huge gains against Taco Bell including an agreement to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes and a comprehensive labor code of conduct. The agreement would effectively doubly the wages of the mostly migrant Mexican, Guatemalan, and Haitian workers.

Despite the unprecedented victory, Taco Bell is only one major player in the enormously powerful fast-food industry. The agreement with Taco Bell only guarantees fairer wages from growers who supply Taco Bell with tomatoes. Meanwhile, according to industry sources, McDonald's buys over 30 million pounds of fresh tomatoes every year. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their vast base of allies are looking to McDonald’s to make good on their commitment to social responsibility and fair food. Florida workers pick 90 percent of the nation’s winter fresh tomatoes. In order to broaden the reach of the Taco Bell agreement and improve wages and working conditions for all Florida farmworkers, more large buyers must agree to the CIW’s demands.

Indeed, after McDonald’s recent commitment to distribute fair trade coffee in some of their stores it seems reasonable. ‘Fair trade’ coffee is bought at a premium market rate higher than average bean prices. "Here in the US there are workers in McDonald's supply chain -- in McDonald's very own backyard -- that are not earning a fair wage. If they can make this change for workers in their coffee supply chain, they can do the same for workers in their tomato supply chain in Florida," said CIW member Francisca Cortes

"We are hoping McDonald's takes responsibility, the same way Taco Bell and Yum Brands did, and that it uses its power to demand a just treatment and decent pay for farmworkers," said Gerardo Reyes, an Immokalee farmworker

This is not a boycott call. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers is requesting we all take this ACTION and let McDonald's know how you feel.

CIW Call to Action

Coalition of Immokalee Workers | Student/Farmworker Alliance

Farmworkers Take Down Taco Bell | 2005 Taco Bell Truth Tour

Florida's Migrant Workers Take Down Taco Bell

On the morning after a record crowd of 16,000 (Columbus Police estimate!) attended Saturday’s rally at the gates of Ft. Benning to protest the School of the Americas\Western Hemispheric Institute for Security Cooperation, an early morning crowd waited with anticipation for an even larger turnout expected at the annual vigil and civil disobedience. About 100 members of Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans for Peace marched in chanting an antiwar cadence to open the ceremonies. They were followed by a group from a Buddhist dojo that had been walking from Atlanta to Ft. Benning since Nov. 12.

more coverage at tnimc.org: Tennesseans Gather at the Gates of Fort Benning to Shut Down the SOA || A Former Fort Benning Ranger Renounces Violence at the SOA ||  Close the School of Assasins!

see also: New Yorkers Join Thousands in Ft. Benning

On Friday, November 18, a group of peace activists from St. Louis, North Carolina, and Chicago entered the property of Aero Contractors near Smithfield, North Carolina, to deliver an indictment of their illegal activities. The indictment accuses Aero of providing planes and pilots for the CIA's program of extraordinary rendition that flies terror suspects to locations where they will likely be tortured.

Other members of the group held signs along Route 70 during rush hour traffic to alert commuters to Aero's activities. Copies of the indictment are being delivered throughout the day to members of the Johnston County Council and Johnston County Airport Commission urging them to take action to put an end to Aero's illegal activities.

videos: excerpts of the action. (35.5 MB) || letter and copy of the indictment being delivered to Ray Blackmon, Director of the Johnston County Airport. (20.7 MB)

see also: Stop Torture Now || 14 Arrests Today at NC Protest of CIA Torture-Prison Flights || Five St. Louis Protesters Arrested Outside Aero Contractors Ltd || List of CIA Planes in North Carolina || What Is AERO CONTRACTORS? Here's the rundown || CIA flights in Europe round-up