Annotations for People: Gaspar-jose

United Farm Workers Union President Arturo Rodriguez admits the union doesn't have 3 million dollars if it is forced to pay Salinas-based lettuce grower, Bruce Church Incorporated.

United Farm Workers Union President Arturo Rodriguez admits the union doesn't have 3 million dollars if it is forced to pay Salinas-based lettuce grower, Bruce Church Incorporated.

The giant lettuce grower said the UFW's claims of mistreatment of farm workers and improper use of pesticides were false and they alleged the resulting boycott her business. A jury agreed and awarded Bruce Church 2.9 million dollars. The UFW has tried to put this most damaging suit in the best light, saying the original suit against them was for $9 million. Farm workers have supported the union very strongly in the past, but it's been the type of support that is more of a fraternal nature rather than one measured in dollars. And right now, the union needs lots of them. For Latino USA, I'm Jose Gaspar in Keene, California.

The giant lettuce grower said the UFW's claims of mistreatment of farm workers and improper use of pesticides were false and they alleged the resulting boycott her business. A jury agreed and awarded Bruce Church 2.9 million dollars. The UFW has tried to put this most damaging suit in the best light, saying the original suit against them was for $9 million. Farm workers have supported the union very strongly in the past, but it's been the type of support that is more of a fraternal nature rather than one measured in dollars. And right now, the union needs lots of them. For Latino USA, I'm Jose Gaspar in Keene, California.

One of the best-known Mexican restaurants in Kern County, California, is El Pueblo Restaurant, located in the small farming town of Lamont, just 20 minutes south of Bakersfield. As usual, the restaurant today is filled to capacity, but today the clients are the homeless people of Kern County. They've been invited here by Luis Aguilar. The owner of El Pueblo.

Luis Aguilar came to this country 23 years ago as an illegal immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico. After being picked up by the Immigration Service in Los Angeles, he was deported to Tijuana but made his way back. He was homeless until a married couple took him in and helped him find a job. Today, Luis Aguilar feeds the largest group of homeless people three times a year. And that means a lot to people. Such as 25 year old Joyce Humble, who's been homeless for the past two years.

27-year-old Roger Barton from Los Angeles also came to eat here today. He hasn't eaten in a restaurant in several years.

More and more people come for the free meal each time. Unemployment in the Central Valley County is one of the highest anywhere in California, especially for farm workers. It's taken a heavy toll on many farm workers such as 52 year old Fidel Luna.

I've been without work for three months, he says. "There's no more work for me in Los Angeles. There's no money to pay the rent, and it's much more difficult to survive as an undocumented immigrant when we don't have papers.

The person who has papers at least can get food stamps. I don't have anything," says Fidel Luna. You can't help but noticing the number of women and children who, along with the men, join the ranks of the homeless. While he's glad to feed the homeless. Luis Aguilar is also sad to see the growing number of people who need his help.

For Latino USA, I'm Jose Gaspar in Bakersfield, California.