WASHINGTON, September 25, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today applauded efforts to assist Florida tomato workers.

"I'd like to extend my congratulations to the Compass Group and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) on the signing of an agreement today to improve conditions for tomato harvesters in south Florida. I commend the Compass Group and Coalition of Immokalee Workers for taking meaningful steps to ensure that these workers are paid a decent wage and are treated fairly. This agreement not only represents an important step forward for tomato workers in Florida, it is an expression of the essential value of farm workers to our agricultural sector as a whole."

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