IRVINE, CA (June 23, 2021) – In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today struck down the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) rule that gave union organizers the right to physically access farm property to solicit support for unionization. The Court held that the regulations were a state-sponsored taking of property rights without the just compensation guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

In response to the decision, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement:

“This is a simple property rights case. States cannot take private property without just compensation, and property owners have the fundamental right to exclude trespassers. We applaud the Supreme Court for protecting the notion of private property rights as envisioned in our Constitution. We also commend Cedar Point Nursery, Fowler Packing Company and the Pacific Legal Foundation team for seeing this case through to its unequivocal conclusion.”

About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook. 

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