Naples Daily News Feb 12 1996

Farmworkers
Coalition gains validation

Immokalee farmworkers are staying with their quest for a decent wage.

Good for them.

They understand that work interruptions from a freeze will be temporary, and business-as-normal will resume in the fields in due time.

Despite a leading, nurturing church charity now distanced from organized migrants' grass roots activism, the fledgling Coalition of Immokalee Workers is determined to keep going.

The organization- which stood up to a major grower that trimmed wages and piece-work commissions late last year yet gained few followers who could afford to maintain a strike- has already succeeded at enhancing public understanding of farmworkers' many challenges.

Now the next, tough task is starting to gain leverage with growers as long as other migrants are eager to take the place of workers who say "no" to poverty pay.

Thank goodness that Coalition of Immokalee Workers leaders are committed to the long haul. They knew going in that their struggle started from Square One, and would be uphill.

Yet, there is moral encouragement. Validation and respect for their mission comes even from their critics.

Longtime Immokalee banker and community leader William G. Price publicly aired reservations about the church harboring the migrants activism.

He declared, though, workers have every right to protest.

They are.