US faith leaders call Wendy's CEO to ensure fair treatment for farmworkers

More than 150 US faith leaders have signed a petition addressed to Todd A Penegor, CEO of Wendy's burger restaurants, calling on the company to join its fast-food industry peers (McDonald's, Subway, and Burger King) by enrolling in the Fair Food Program.

Co-sponsoring organizations include: representatives from the Association of US Catholic Priests, Faith in Public Life, Vincentian Ohio Action Network, National Farm Worker Ministry, the Catholic Labor Network, Diocese of Columbus and the Sisters of St Francis.

The letter states: "Our faith traditions direct us to pay special attention to the needs of the poor, the excluded and the marginalized. Few workers in the United States are so poor, excluded and marginalized as the workers who plant and harvest our food - including the tomatoes used to garnish Wendy's hamburgers."

"...By refusing to participate in the Fair Food Program, Wendy's has opted to profit from farm worker abuse and poverty and continues to provide a market for less reputable growers. Until Wendy's does the right thing and enrols in the Fair Food Program, we will honour the boycott called by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and encourage others to honour it as well."

To read the full letter and list of signers, click HERE