The throng of farm workers gathered outside the state Capitol today were here to demand new rights to join unions. They wanted Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to hear them, now that the bill is on his desk.

He heard them all right. In fact, he came out to see them.

Schwarzenegger took what looked like an impromptu stroll out of his Capitol office around midday and made his way through the rally organized by the United Farm Workers… generating what appeared to be genuine surprise on the faces of many of those who showed up.

Speaking with Spanish interpretation thanks to UFW president Arturo Rodriguez, the governor talked about last year’s effort at new rules to prevent heat-related illnesses for farm workers. he even thanked those who were fans of his movies.

But he kept mum on the subject that brought the UFW protesters to Sacramento: SB 180, a bill now on his desk that provides an alternative, and likely easier, way for the UFW to organize workers than the system that currently exists.

When asked whether he would sign the bill (ok, by me), he would only say that he had come outside to “welcome them” to the state Capitol.

Fair enough… but he certainly got an earful from the workers, who chanted as he shook their hands on his way back inside: “Sign the bill! Sign the bill!”