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Agreement Could Mean Higher Pay For Tomato Pickers
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AP


A new program announced by the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange could translate into higher wages for the men and women who pick the crops.

This week the exchange announced wage deals reached previously with companies such as Burger King, Subway, and Whole Foods would finally be able to be implemented. The chains had reached past agreements with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers for higher wages, but those increases never came because growers refused to participate. They argued that a third party couldn't legally dictate worker employment terms.

The exchange now says the solution is to allow each retailer to decide on a weekly "supplemental wage" payment. Growers then will divide the total money among workers for that week's payroll.

The coalition called the move a step forward.