Mexico Wins $3.2 Million Settlement with
Decoster Egg Farms on Behalf of Workers

by
Hector Carreon
La Voz de Aztlan

Los Angeles, Alta California - 7/3/2002 - (ACN) Workers have rights no matter their immigration status. This is the loud and clear message that was sent yesterday with the announcement by the Mexican Embassy that a group of thirteen workers had reached a $3.2 million dollar settlement in a discrimination suit against Decoster Egg Farms of Maine. The Mexican Government and workers with the help of Attorney Karen Wolf of the law firm Friedman, Gaythwaite, Wolf & Leavitt won a settlement that will send a strong message to other employers that may be exploiting immigrant Mexican workers lacking proper documentation.

The landmark case announcement was made yesterday June 2 by Minister Carlos Rico, at the Embassy of Mexico in Washington D.C. The settlement was negotiated through Tim O'Brien who is the attorney for the defendant and Karen Wolf, attorney for the plaintiffs.

Austin J. DeCoster of DeCoster Egg Farms of Turner, Maine, one of the nation's leading egg producers had previously paid heavy fines to the US Labor Department for a large assortment of OSHA and wage violations. DeCoster Egg Farms had accumulated a large number of citations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for job safety and health violations.

One of the biggest secrets in America is the extremely large number of Mexican workers that are killed or maimed for life working in unsafe conditions. Many of these workers are never compensated for their injuries nor are the families assisted in any way when a bread winner dies in a work related accident. The case won with DeCoster Egg Farms may began to change this deplorable situation. No worker should have to risk their lives just to put food on the table or pay the rent.

"It was a clear case of discrimination against Mexican workers" said Minister Carlos Rico. "This case should be an inspiration for all Mexican workers living in the United States and for all other immigrant workers of other countries." added Karen Wolf, attorney for the plaintiffs.

The settlement is due for formal approval by Judge Brock Hornby of the Portland, Maine Federal District Court in November. Attorney Karen Wolf said that once the settlement is approved by Judge Hornby, that it will be the first time that a suit brought by immigrant workers has been won in which a foreign government was a part.