While we are waiting to get some reportbacks from our folks out at the NCLR conference in San Diego, here is our 2nd installment of the HJ News Roundup.  Get caught up on the latest news affecting farmworkers in North America.

First and most importantly, we have more sad news about the latest heat-related death in California.  Abdon Felix died last Wednesday and Ramiro Carrillo Rodriguez died on Thursday.  Jorge Herrera is clinging to life in a hospital and has suffered brain, lung and kidney damage. There has been an inquiry made into the case of Abdon Felix and some groups are continuing their calls for action. As Pamela Rao, one of our research analysts here at Farmworker Justice, says, the most incomprehensible thing about heat-related deaths is that they are 100% preventable.  This makes these cases all the more tragic.  Meanwhile, a judge has annulled an injunction against California contractor that forced company to follow California law regarding heat safety measures. 

More sad news: a terrible auto accident in California has killed five people, four of whom were farmworkers who just got off work.

You've probably heard about the Coalition of Immokolee Workers's (CIW's) amazing victories to win a "penny per pound" increase in wages from three giants of the fast food industry.  Well, unfortunately, the growers are refusing to pass the money on to the workers. The Orlando Sentinel has a special report on the next stage in the CIW campaign for better wages for Florida farmworkers and the Fort-Myers News-Press has an editorial saying the growers should step down and let the workers have their hard-won wage increase.   See also the St. Pete Times' Bill Maxwell's column on the moral peril of tomatoes.

Finally, she played an historic role in the struggle for farmworkers' rights and still today she's a fiery voice speaking out for justice.  Check out this interview with Dolores Huerta.

Let us know of your own victories and news links in the comments section below!  Hasta la victoria!