California Lettuce Grower Settles Sexual Harassment Case

One of the nation’s largest lettuce growers on Tuesday agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle allegations that managers demanded sexual favors from Latina farm workers.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which announced the settlement Tuesday, said it is the biggest sexual harassment settlement in the agriculture industry that the agency has ever handled.

The company, Tanimura & Antle of Salinas--among the biggest U.S. lettuce growers and distributors--admitted no wrongdoing.

“This case steps forward to protect the rights of those who are probably the most vulnerable in our country: Latina farm workers,” said EEOC Chairwoman Ida Castro.

According to court records, Blanca Alfaro was told by a production manager and another manager that she had to perform sexual favors to keep her job and get her benefits.

Alfaro complained and was fired, along with a male employee, Elias Aragon, who complained on her behalf.

Alfaro, Aragon and other workers will receive up to $1.8 million.

Alfaro will also receive an undisclosed sum and four years’ salary, including two years’ back pay.

Other details of the alleged harassment were kept confidential as part of the settlement.

“This is a growing industry that employs about a million workers in California a year and is the largest industry in California,” said William Tamayo, a regional attorney for the EEOC. This settlement will “serve as models for ensuring that these workers, particularly immigrant women who don’t speak English, are protected,” he said in a statement.

Tanimura & Antle, which has operations in California and Arizona, also agreed to revise its existing sexual harassment policy and handling of complaints, and provide mandatory sexual harassment training to all of its employees.

Three employees were disciplined in the case, according to the EEOC. Two of the workers are no longer employed at the company and cannot be rehired. A third employee received a written reprimand and will undergo counseling.

The EEOC said it believed there are a few more employees who were also sexually harassed. Any employee who comes forward between March 31 and July 31 can make a claim to part of the settlement.