Who's behind the United Methodist boycotts?
Some United Methodists will not be 'running for the border' any time soon to sink their teeth into a juicy Taco Bell burrito or Gordita.
By Suzanne C. Hickerson
The Mexican fast-food restaurant is a favorite for many, including the Rev. Brian Taylor's nine-year-old daughter, who, according to her father, enjoys the Mexican flare more than the traditional kidfavorite restaurant, McDonald's.
Taylor, senior pastor at Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church in Johnson City District, said the General Conference 2004 decision to join the Taco Bell boycott has hit home. He has taken advantage of the situation and explained to his daughter that the taco she eats not only affects her, but people around the world.
"When we know of an injustice and as long as the injustice is occurring, then we can eat a taco somewhere else," Taylor said.
As for the church, Taylor supports the notion of educating the church community on the injustices of migrant farm workers. He believes the decision to participate in the Taco Bell boycott should then be left up to each individual church member.
Boycott background
When the top legislative body of the United Methodist Church met last spring, it joined national boycotts against two companies, Taco Bell and Mt. Olive Pickle Co.
Both boycotts centered on the treatment of farm workers. The Mt. Olive boycott ended on Sept. 16. (See "Holston bishop had role in pickle dispute.")
The Taco Bell boycott, which officially takes effect for United Methodists on Jan. 1, 2005, was called in March 2001 by the coalition of Immokalee Workers, based in Immokalee, Fla. The coalition said that Taco Bell refused to address the fact that its tomato suppliers, particularly Six L's Packing Company, were exploiting the migrant workers, according to a United Methodist News Service report.
"While globalization has spawned more capital and spurred greater production, workers' wages have been kept low and below a livable wage even in those countries whose governments have a prescribed minimum wage," noted the Taco Bell Boycott resolution adopted by the 2004 United Methodist General Conference.
The average wage for these workers - 40 cents per 32- pound bucket - has not changed in more than 20 years, according to the Department of Labor. Nor are there other protections under the current government program that allows agricultural workers to temporarily enter the United States.
The approved resolution calls for church leaders to name a monitoring committee to assess the negotiations between Taco Bell and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. A May 20 news release stated that YUM! Brands, Taco Bell's parent corporation, would support an industrywide solution to the wage issues. The corporation suggested the possible solution of "a penny a pound surcharge applied to all purchasers of Florida tomatoes, not just Taco Bell."
The proposal came with strings attached, calling for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to first end the boycott the company believes is unfairly focused on Taco Bell, according to United Methodist News Service.
The National Council of Churches monitoring committee issued a June 22 report on the boycott stating that not enough progress had occurred to terminate the boycott.
Other religious endorsers include the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Church of Christ, the American Friends Service Committee and the National Council of Churches. The National Council of Churches, of which the United Methodist Church is a member, joined the boycott in November 2003.
Taco limbo
Should United Methodists honor their denomination's boycott of the favorite fast-food restaurant?
Steve Hodges, coordinator of Holston's Peace With Justice Committee, said he supports the boycott and feels other United Methodists should prayerfully consider doing the same.
"It is very important for us, as Christians, to think how to spend our money," said Hodges, also director of the Jubilee Project in Sneedville, Tenn. "I do support the action by General Conference. A lot was done before General Conference to get Taco Bell to sit down (at the table to discuss the issue)... It's an appropriate way to bring justice."
Hodges encourages United Methodists to not only serve others with their gifts and talents within the four walls of the church, but also in the voting booth and while making decisions about businesses to support or not to support.
"When widely supported, economic boycotts do make a difference," he said.
As associate and youth pastor at Asbury UMC in Morristown District, the Rev. Brad Hyde said his youth members asked many questions about the denomination's decision to boycott Taco Bell. After talking with them about the issue, Hyde said that many never realized that by eating a taco, they could be supporting adverse conditions for farm workers.
"I try to provide a perspective for them," Hyde said. "We don't know the pickers, but I encourage (the youth) to put themselves in their shoes.
"I applaud the United Methodists for its action," the Greeneville pastor added. "The boycotts offer a teaching moment."
The Rev. Steve Martin, associate pastor at First Oak Ridge UMC, made the point that in today's world, where the church's influence and power are shrinking, it is questionable as to how much pressure can be exerted on companies. However, that should not keep the church from taking a stand on issues, he said.
"We must be engaged either way," Martin said. "There are tons of trends in the food business that are alarming. There is no regard for nutrition and chemicals used. In general, the church has got to pay attention and be active."
Improved communication throughout the hierarchy of the church could increase the effectiveness of such boycotts by better informing those at the local level, Martin said. "It's a place where a real difference can be made."
According to Hodges, the Taco Bell boycott is one of about four the church has joined in the past 20 years. Organizations within the church have been successful in the past at bringing people to the table to discuss issues of concern and therefore preventing the need for boycotts.
To date, Holston's Peace With Justice Committee has not decided how to proceed concerning the Taco Bell boycott, according to Hodges. However, the committee has discussed the need to focus its efforts on the overall issue of economic justice and supporting methods that return more money to farmers for their products.
In addition to participating in the Taco Bell boycott, Hodges suggests people work locally to bring about awareness of the economic hardship faced by many Spanish-speaking migrant workers. The church can serve as a support and networking system for migrant workers, he said.
Suzanne C. Hickerson is a freelance writer living in Salem, Va.
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