Reynolds Changes its Tune at 2011 Shareholders Meeting
Executives acknowledge responsibility to work with stakeholders and protect human rights
On May 6th FLOC members and community supporters once again mobilized to bring tobacco farmworker voices to the annual Reynolds Shareholders Meeting in Winston Salem, NC. This year brought a turning point in the Campaign to end human rights abuses in the company’s supply chain. As over 50 FLOC representatives entered the Shareholders Meeting to ask tough questions of Reynolds board members and executives, the company finally acknowledged that they need to look into the labor practices in their supply chain and work with other parties, including FLOC to ensure they are not complicit with human rights violations. This represents a 180 degree turn, as for three years the company has denied any responsibility to do such a thing. FLOC representatives pressed company executives to ensure that this new stance is more than just words and is backed up with serious action, including meeting with farmworkers and their representatives. "There remain questions on whether this council will look pretty and pretend to look into the labor issues, or it [will] actually address the issues and push for changes in a timely fashion," said Viridiana Martinez, of the NC Dream Team.
Outside of the meeting, hundreds of FLOC members and supporters filled the sidewalk chanting “Reynolds, meet with FLOC!” An energetic picket line then marched through the streets to a nearby park, where speakers celebrated the company’s step forward but stressed to the crowd that, while Reynolds’ move vindicates three years of struggle, the fight was far from over. NC AFL-CIO president James Andrews proclaimed “Don’t stop fighting now, we need to continue to keep up the pressure!” Following President Andrews, Joe Frierson and Wesley Morris from the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, Pam Foxx from SEANC, and Juan Barredo from Orlando YAYA, addressed the crowd before FLOC Secretary Treasurer, Beatriz Maya finished the rally with a call to action. “This is a great first step that came only after people like you built up enough pressure on Reynolds. But we will not stop pushing until we see real progress in the tobacco fields of North Carolina. This Campaign continues!”
After the rally, the boisterous crowd marched past Reynolds to the historic Lloyd Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, who graciously supported the march by marshalling and keeping things running smoothly.
After three years of organizing direct actions to push the tobacco giant towards dialogue, they have finally committed to moving in the right direction. Thanks to supporters who have stood with the farmworker movement, we have seen some solid results. However, this Campaign will continue to pressure Reynolds to strengthen our hand as we begin a dialogue and will not end until Reynolds does all that it can to ensure that farmworkers’ labor and human rights are respected in their supply chain!
Hasta la Victoria!
Many thanks to Justin Valas, Phil Fonville, and Jeremy Sprinkle for letting us use their photos. For individual photo credits visit the Photobucket page for the full slideshow.