Judge Retreats, Won’t Bar Egg City Boycott

A federal bankruptcy judge, retreating from his previous ruling, declared Tuesday that he lacks the authority to curb the United Farm Workers’ boycott of products of Egg City ranch near Moorpark.

Judge Calvin K. Ashland refused to grant the ranch a new temporary order limiting the boycott, which was launched in June when 250 workers went on strike after a wage cut of as much as 30%. The Ventura County chicken ranch filed in May for protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U. S. Bankruptcy Code.

Ashland issued a temporary order two weeks ago curbing the boycott. That order expired Friday, and Egg City was seeking a new order, arguing that the court has a duty to protect the ranch’s assets.

According to attorneys and union officials, however, Ashland no longer believes he has legal authority to limit the union’s actions.

At the time of Ashland’s previous ruling, some legal experts questioned whether it would hold up under appeal because federal laws prevent bankruptcy judges from inhibiting strikes.

Union officials said they now expect the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board, which has jurisdiction over farm labor matters in California, to file suit in Ventura County Superior Court to curb the boycott.

ALRB officials could not be reached for comment. The union has picketed markets to discourage their buying Egg City products.