Cesar Chavez: United Farm Workers Organizing — Reading Comprehension

In the 1960s, farm workers in California and other states faced harsh working conditions, low pay, and little legal protection. Many of these workers were Mexican American or Filipino American, and their labor was essential for the fruit and vegetable crops that fed the nation. However, their voices were rarely heard by those who controlled the fields and set the rules. The struggle for better treatment led to the rise of the United Farm Workers (UFW) and its leader, Cesar Chavez.

Farm workers suffered long hours in the hot sun, with few breaks and exposure to harmful chemicals. Wages were so low that families often lived in poverty. Attempts to organize for better treatment were met with resistance from powerful landowners and companies. Chavez, who was born into a family of migrant workers, understood these hardships. He believed that only through collective bargaining—when workers join together to negotiate with employers—could farm laborers achieve change.

Chavez did not work alone. Dolores Huerta, a skilled organizer, and Larry Itliong, a leader of Filipino farm workers, were also vital to the movement. In 1965, Filipino grape workers in Delano, California, began a strike for higher wages. Chavez and the mostly Mexican American National Farm Workers Association soon joined them, uniting their causes. This partnership showed the power of solidarity—different groups coming together for a common goal.

The Delano Grape Strike lasted five years. Farm owners tried to break the strike by hiring replacement workers and using police force. In response, the UFW organized marches, boycotts, and peaceful protests. One of the most famous actions was the national grape boycott, which encouraged Americans across the country to stop buying grapes until the workers’ demands were met. This boycott gained support from churches, students, and other unions, increasing pressure on the growers.

Some people viewed the strike and boycott as necessary steps toward justice. They argued that it was unfair for the people who harvested America’s food to live in poverty. Others, including some business owners and local officials, saw the actions as disruptive. They claimed the protests hurt the economy and threatened local jobs. There were also farm workers who disagreed with the strike, fearing they would lose their jobs or be replaced.

Chavez insisted on nonviolence. In 1968, he fasted for 25 days to protest violence and inspire peaceful action. In a letter to supporters, he wrote, "We are convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent struggle for justice." This statement became a guiding principle for the movement. His fast drew national attention and brought moral weight to the cause.

Eventually, the grape growers agreed to sign contracts with the UFW in 1970. These agreements improved wages, working conditions, and gave workers the right to organize. However, the struggle was not over. New challenges, such as changing laws and economic pressures, continued to threaten farm workers’ rights. The UFW had to adapt to maintain its influence.

The legacy of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers is complex. Their efforts brought important changes, but not all problems were solved. The movement inspired other labor and civil rights activism, showing that ordinary people could challenge injustice through unity and peaceful protest.

Interesting Fact: Cesar Chavez's birthday, March 31, is now celebrated as a holiday in several U.S. states to honor farm workers and the labor movement.

Who was a leader of the UFW?

What year did the Delano grape strike start?

Which group joined the Filipino grape workers?

Why did farm workers strike in Delano?

What was the main goal of the national grape boycott?

What principle did Chavez emphasize in the movement?

Cesar Chavez fasted for 25 days. True or false?

What does 'solidarity' mean?