Banana Workers Get Greenlight to Unionize

At a meeting yesterday, the Banana Growers Association agreed to allow workers to unionize.

At a meeting mediated by the tripartite body, the Banana Growers Association and its growers recognized the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining as provided for under the International Labor Organization Convention. The growers further committed to cooperate fully and not to frustrate the process of unionization. They also recognized the right of any union to represent workers in the banana industry. For years, the banana belt has not been unionized because the interests of labor unions have clashed with an industry where labor costs have to be minimized to compete on the fierce international markets.