12/12/2025
Jose Garcia PRESENTE! During the last major flooding event in Western Washington in November 2021, farmworker Jose Garcia died while driving to work at a local dairy in Whatcom County. Garcia should have been safely evacuated but instead he was expected to be at work.
Today, despite the National Weather Service saying that flooding in Skagit Valley is expected to be catastrophic, and despite a flash flood watch remaining in effect through late Friday because of possible levee breaks which could instantly submerge most of Skagit County, farmworkers have still been called to work in packing sheds and in the fields harvesting brussels sprouts in Burlington. This even as standing water is seen outside the packing sheds and near the fields. Yesterday, Governor Ferguson said that up to 100,000 people would be evacuated from Western Washington, this must include farm workers. Farmworkers are risking their lives and the safety of their families to save the farmers’ crops from the flood and to get food to our tables. But this work should NOT cost the workers and their families’ lives and wellbeing!
During the pandemic farmworkers risked their lives and continued to harvest vegetables and apples, milked cows, gathered eggs and cut meat so the rest of us could eat. ALL workers should be able to prepare to evacuate with their loved ones.
Community to Community demands hazard pay for farm workers who lose wages because of extreme weather events. Farmworkers and their families deserve the same level of safety as everyone else who is impacted by these devastating floods.
TAKE ACTION! The state has failed in past attempts to protect farm workers and their economic well being. Call your WA State Representatives and demand they work with Familias Unidas por la Justicia to take necessary action and implement a hazard pay law.
