The Coalition of Immokalee Workers - or CIW - is on a 200-mile march from Ft. Myers to Lakeland and they stopped in Tampa today. The CIW is in its fourth year trying to persuade Publix to sign its Fair Food Program agreement. It calls for better working conditions and a "penny-a-pound" bonus for its tomatoes.
One of the CIW founders, Lucas Benitez says 11 corporations have already signed onto the pledge but Publix won't budge. "And Publix- we're not asking them to invent anything, the wheel is already going, the vehicle of justice is already on its way but Publix doesn't want to be a part of it", Benitez said.
Publix representatives have said before that the issue is between the farmworkers and their employers -- not Publix. Their statement says that Publix believes its the responsibility of all its suppliers to manage its workforce.The CIW will end its march at Publix Headquarters in Lakeland on Sunday.