MIAMI — Burger King Corp. has declined to accept the "penny per pound" proposal submitted to them by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' (CIW) to increase tomato-picker's wages.
Representatives from Burger King, the CIW and several religious groups have worked together for more than a year on the proposal. According to a news release, Burger King says that although they agree that the workers' living situations are substandard, the company and its purchasing agent, RSI, do not have a direct relationship with any tomato grower or its employees.
The company also says that increasing the cost of tomatoes by a penny per pound will not ensure support for the workers directly and Burger King cannot control how they are compensated.
Burger King says it is working with the CIW on other charitable options.
Read also, Restaurants urged to increase pickers' wages.
