In an effort to remove a popular eatery on campus, some student
activists are pushing the Associated Students of UCLA to support
labor rights by terminating its contract with Taco Bell.
The Social Justice Alliance student coalition meets today with
the Food Services Committee to discuss the renewal of
ASUCLA’s contract with the Taco Bell corporation. The
committee is scheduled to determine what its recommendation to the
ASUCLA board of directors will be.
Although the board ultimately decides whether Taco Bell will
stay or go, the Food Services Committee carries substantial weight
in the decision.
Some students have been boycotting Taco Bell because it
purchases tomatoes from southern Florida packing companies such as
Immokalee. According to a resolution passed by the Undergraduate
Students Association Council, Immokalee pays tomato pickers as
little as 40 cents a bucket, meaning workers must fill 125 buckets
to earn $50 a day.
Though tomatoes used at the UCLA Taco Bell are not from Florida,
some students feel an obligation to oppose the company.
“We play an important role by boycotting Taco Bell because
Taco Bell has the power to affect the livelihood of workers,”
said second-year labor activist Christina Kaoh.
But some students do not support the removal of Taco Bell from
campus because they enjoy its low prices, location convenience, and
do not consider the arguments against the restaurant
substantial.
“I think the issue should be confronted, but I don’t
think Taco Bell should be taken away just because of some
tomatoes,” said Bojan Hrpka, a third-year microbiology,
immunology and molecular genetics student.
Emmanuel Martinez, the undergraduate representative on the
board, said it seems student activists are more prepared than prior
years, yet he said he was unable to state what ASUCLA would
decide.
ASUCLA has supported labor rights before by selling Fair Trade
coffee throughout campus and SweatX brand clothing in the UCLA
Store.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, farm sales of fruit
and vegetables have doubled in the last two decades. In contrast,
wages received by farm workers have decreased.
Students who are currently boycotting Taco Bell say wage
increases would hardly affect the eatery but would significantly
aid workers.
Student groups such as United Students Against Sweat Shops have
worked for three years to remove UCLA’s Taco Bell restaurant.
The student group presented a case against Taco Bell to ASUCLA this
past spring quarter. The discussion was tabled until a later
date.
Though removal of Taco Bell has not yet been successful,
students have worked harder this year to raise awareness and gain
student support.
In a forum hosted by the Student Farm Worker Alliance in
October, an Immokalee tomato picker described his experiences.
Seeking additional support, labor activist groups have made
announcements during classes, visited dorms and asked for
endorsements from student groups. As of Nov. 9, 400 petition
signatures had been collected.
Other high schools and universities throughout the country have
also taken action against Taco Bell. Due to student protests in
2002 at California State University, Los Angeles and at the
University of San Francisco, Taco Bell was removed from both
campuses.
Students opposing the restaurant hope the same outcome will
result at UCLA after today’s presentation.
“We have had trouble in the past, but the key is
persistence,” said Nathan Lam, a member of a student group
against sweat shops. “We weren’t prepared enough last
time and we didn’t have enough student support. This time we
might.”