Workers at Splendor and
Fragancia Flower plantations have also advanced in their struggles. Unions at both plantations are currently in
negotiations and expect to sign contracts this summer. At Splendor, “Sintrasplendor workers were
given a major boost in January when Rep. George Miller, D-CA, raised their case
with the Ministry of Social Protection and Vice President Francisco Santos,
ultimately resulting
in a court order for the arbitration tribunal they had
been waiting for since May 2007 … The tribunal began in mid-May,” and the
timing in which the workers receive a final ruling will determine how soon
Sintrasplendor will sign a contract. “Sintrasplendor could sign a contract as
early as this summer.”

The progress toward the
gradual transformation of the manner in which U.S. companies regard their Colombian workers can only be made possible by the
collaborative efforts of workers in Colombia and activists in the U.S.
who find the time to actively oppose the policies of companies that violate
worker rights. Change happens when there
is a joint effort involving workers like Dora Acero, from the union at the
Fragancia plantation who toured the U.S. this spring to pressure Dole for a
contract, and activists in the U.S. who write letters and send emails to
companies like Dole, or to representatives in Congress. The voices of workers become much louder when
they are joined by those of activists.