An ongoing dispute between the United Farm Workers (UFW) and Wonderful Nurseries LLC, over the unionization of over 600 employees has resulted in the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) ordering the parties to mandatory mediation and conciliation (MMC).  

This order comes after the UFW’s request for referral to MMC with Wonderful Nurseries was initially contested by the employer. The ALRB has denied Wonderful Nurseries’ motion to hold the UFW’s request in abeyance and now orders both parties to proceed with the mediation process. 

As discussed here, this decision is part of a larger case where the UFW filed a majority support petition and was certified as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for Wonderful Nurseries’ agricultural employees. Wonderful Nurseries had filed a motion contesting the election results and requesting a stay of certification, which was denied by the ALRB resulting in the UFW establishing majority support by its submission of 327 authorization cards. 

The MMC process is anticipated to result in the mediator imposing a collective bargaining agreement which will be challenged in court by Wonderful Nurseries.