By Theo Meranze
The United Farm Workers Movement was one of the most important social movements in the history of our state. Born out of true grassroots organizing, farmworkers across California came together and struggled for their rights, forming what would become the United Farm Workers Union (UFW), taking part in historic strikes, and eventually winning incredible gains for farmworkers across California. Some of the most important accomplishments of the UFW include securing union contracts for farmworkers, better working conditions for farmworkers, and the passage of the landmark California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA), which legally enshrined the right for farmworkers to organize and unionize.
Amidst the ongoing accusations against the historic face of the movement, Cesar Chavez, we feel it is important to remember that this movement was not led by one man but composed of many people, including many women, such as Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the UFW with Chavez, and Jessie Lopez De La Cruz, who was an integral, life-long organizer for the UFW. It is also important to note that much of the organizational capability demonstrated by the UFW was founded in the previous work done by Filipino farmworkers. It was through the spirit of this collective struggle that the people who composed the movement forged a better reality for their coworkers, their neighbors, and themselves.
As we reflect on this history in a present defined by similar struggles, such as the ongoing struggles fought by teachers unions, the student walkouts sweeping California to protest ICE’s violence, and the grassroots movement in support of Palestinian rights, we feel that it is important to remind ourselves that they were in a similar position to us, and they did not give up in their struggle. We aspire to embody the same amount of passion, resilience, and determination.
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