Apr 13, 2007 2:23 PM

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and McDonald’s USA plan to work together to address wages and working conditions for farmworkers who pick Florida tomatoes.

Beginning in the 2007 growing season, McDonald’s USA, through its produce suppliers, will pay an additional penny per pound for Florida tomatoes supplied to its United States restaurants. The increase will be paid directly to farmworkers harvesting tomatoes purchased by McDonald’s.

The CIW and McDonald’s produce suppliers will work together to develop a new code of conduct for Florida tomato growers, as well as increase farmworker participation in monitoring supplier compliance. Farmworkers will also participate in investigating worker complaints and dispute resolution. The CIW and McDonald’s produce suppliers will work together toward developing and implementing a credible third-party verification system.

CIW has ended its two-year campaign against McDonald’s and pledged to work with the company and its suppliers to drive sustainable changes in the Florida tomato industry.