Union Tries To Put Pressure On Chateau Ste. Michelle -- Boycott Of Wine Hits Broadway

They arrived at their Broadway meeting point at 9:30 a.m. - flags and signs in hand - determined to spread the boycott of Chateau Ste. Michelle wine throughout central Capitol Hill.

The United Farm Workers of Washington State members and volunteers planned to visit eight restaurants on the street, thanking five for removing Chateau St. Michelle from their wine lists, urging three others to do the same.

But it was too early in the day for most places to be open, and the group made it into only one restaurant, where union President Manuel Cortez thanked Testarossa Stuffed Pizza for participating in the boycott.

The delegation, which included union secretary/treasurer Julio Romero, board member Margarito Ochoa and some grandchildren and other relatives of farm workers, walked down Broadway putting fliers on cars and poles, and stopped to talk to pedestrians.

Yesterday's events were the latest attempt by the union to pressure Chateau Ste. Michelle, this state's largest winery, to sign a contract with the union.

Once Chateau Ste. Michelle, owned by U.S. Tobacco, recognizes the union, other wineries and farms will follow, union members say.

Seattle boycott organizer Jackie Branz said 35 restaurants in Seattle have already agreed to take the wine off their menus, while 70 statewide have participated in the boycott. She added that Sweden has also refused to buy any more of the wine.

Mark Jennings, a spokesman for Stimson Lane, the U.S. Tobacco subsidiary that owns Chateau Ste. Michelle, said he thinks Branz's figure for Seattle is "an exaggerated number," and said losing Swedish business has a very small financial impact.

He added that the boycott has had little effect on the winery, where sales are up 40 percent this year.

The union targeted Chateau Ste. Michelle because of its high visibility.