Less than 10 percent of an estimated 400,000 farm workers in California are covered by labor union agreements. While some farm workers point to protection of rights and favor unionization, others are disappointed in the negotiating process and complain about the lack of union effectiveness. Analysts cite the rise of illegal immigration and political shifts as further challenges to unionization in the industry.
See "Union Debate in Wine Country", Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, October 3, 2004