photo credit: Simon Davison/wikimedia

California's Agricultural Labor Relations Board - ALRB - recently announced an agreement between Geyserville-based Redwood Empire Vineyard Management and seven farm workers that will see the company pay over $33,000 dollars in lost wages.

The settlement comes after an investigation into Redwood Empire Vineyard Management by the ALRB over an unfair labor practice complaint filed by farm workers who participated in a march supporting agricultural laborers.

Under the settlement, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management does not admit to violating any labor laws, but will remove language in their employment contracts stating that workers who try to negotiate for higher wages will be immediately fired.

The company also agreed to rescind warnings issued to two workers, and respect the right of workers to engage in activities like mutual aid.

Sonoma County vineyard worker Jose Alejandro Cuevas filed the complaint against Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, after he was denied work following participation in a march calling for $25-an-hour wages.

Yolanda Price, who was also named in the case, in a statement said, "if we stay quiet, the injustice will continue but we deserve better and our families deserve better."

The settlement also requires Redwood Empire Vineyard Management, which oversees some 2,200 vineyards, to offer work in the 2025 harvest to the seven affected workers.