Unitarian Universalist
Association of Congregations
Washington Office for Advocacy
1320 18th Street, Suite 300B Washington, DC 20036
January 4, 2006
Mr. Jim Skinner, CEO
McDonald’s Corporation
McDonald’s Plaza
Oak Brooks, IL 60523
Dear Mr. Skinner:
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
has a long-standing commitment to supporting the health
and well-being of farm workers. While progress has been
made since our first policy statement in 1961, we know
that many farm workers in the United State still face
harsh and often unsafe working conditions for unlivable
wages and no benefits. These conditions are not in line
with the ethical values we believe should be upheld
by major American corporations. On behalf the Unitarian
Universalist Association, I urge McDonald’s to
work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to
improve wages and working conditions in the fields where
McDonald’s tomatoes are produced.
In March, 2005, Yum Brands and the Coalition of Immokalee
Workers reached a precedent-setting agreement to improve
wages and working conditions in Yum’s tomato supply
chain. McDonald’s has been presented with the
opportunity to work together with the CIW, an internationally
recognized farm worker organization with a proven human
rights record, to ensure justice for the farm workers
in its own tomato supply chain. The model established
by CIW and Yum Brands is a proven model for partnership
between farm workers, growers and the fast-food industry.
McDonald’s must similarly take corrective action
to counteract the low piece rates held in place by its
own high-volume/low price purchasing.
McDonald’s should not evade the important issues
with inadequate initiatives, such as the Social Accountable
Farm Workers (SAFE) initiate. To create a just and lasting
solution in the fields, McDonald’s must work with
the CIW, whose members endure these unjust and inhumane
working conditions and are working to end them.
We applaud McDonald’s recent decision to serve
only fair-trade coffee in over 600 of its New England
and New York stores. We encourage you to extend the
principles of fairness and justice to other regions
and other food products as well. Again, on behalf the
Unitarian Universalist Association, I urge McDonald’s
to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)
to improve wages and working conditions in the fields
where McDonald’s tomatoes are produced.
In Faith,
Robert C. Keithan, Director
CC: Mr. Bob Langert, Senior Director of
Social Responsibility
CC: Coalition of Immokalee Workers