National Farm Workers Association

National Farm Workers Association
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Name	National Farm Workers Association
Formation	1962
Founder	César Chávez, Dolores Huerta
Location	Delano, California
Key people	César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong

National Farm Workers Association was a labor union founded by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in 1962, with the goal of improving the working conditions and wages of farmworkers in the United States. The organization played a crucial role in the American labor movement, working closely with other unions such as the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and the United Farm Workers. The National Farm Workers Association was also supported by prominent figures such as Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Ralph Abernathy. The organization's efforts were often covered by major news outlets, including the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NBC News.

● History

The National Farm Workers Association was formed during a time of great social change in the United States, with the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War dominating the headlines. The organization's history is closely tied to the lives of its founders, César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who were both influenced by the Mexican-American community and the Catholic Church. The National Farm Workers Association worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, to achieve its goals. The organization also received support from prominent politicians, including Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale.

● Founding and Early Years

The National Farm Workers Association was founded in 1962 by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, with the help of other labor leaders such as Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz. The organization's early years were marked by struggles to recruit members and gain recognition from farm owners and growers. The National Farm Workers Association faced opposition from organizations such as the Western Growers Association and the California Farm Bureau Federation. Despite these challenges, the organization persevered, with César Chávez and Dolores Huerta traveling throughout California to organize farmworkers and promote the organization's message. The organization also worked closely with other labor unions, such as the United Auto Workers and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

● Organization and Leadership

The National Farm Workers Association was led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who served as the organization's president and vice president, respectively. The organization's leadership also included other prominent figures, such as Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, who played important roles in the organization's early years. The National Farm Workers Association was organized into a series of locals, each of which represented a specific group of farmworkers. The organization also had a strong youth movement, with young people playing a key role in the organization's activities and protests. The organization worked closely with other social justice organizations, such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

● Strikes and Protests

The National Farm Workers Association was known for its use of strikes and protests to achieve its goals, with the organization's most famous action being the Delano grape strike of 1965. The strike, which was led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, lasted for several years and drew national attention to the plight of farmworkers. The National Farm Workers Association also organized other protests and strikes, including the Salad Bowl strike of 1970 and the Imperial Valley lettuce strike of 1979. The organization's actions were often supported by other labor unions and social justice organizations, such as the United Mine Workers of America and the National Organization for Women. The organization also received support from prominent figures, including Jane Fonda and Harry Belafonte.

● Legacy and Impact

The National Farm Workers Association had a significant impact on the labor movement in the United States, with the organization's efforts leading to improved working conditions and wages for farmworkers. The organization's legacy can be seen in the work of other labor unions and social justice organizations, such as the United Farm Workers and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee. The National Farm Workers Association also played a key role in the development of the Chicano movement, with the organization's leaders, including César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, becoming prominent figures in the movement. The organization's impact was also recognized by prominent politicians, including Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

● Merger and Reorganization

In 1966, the National Farm Workers Association merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to form the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. The merger was led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, who became the president and vice president of the new organization, respectively. The United Farm Workers of America continued the work of the National Farm Workers Association, with the organization's efforts leading to improved working conditions and wages for farmworkers. The organization also worked closely with other labor unions and social justice organizations, such as the AFL-CIO and the NAACP. The organization's legacy continues to be felt today, with the United Farm Workers of America remaining a prominent voice in the labor movement and the social justice movement. The organization has also been recognized by prominent institutions, including the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Category: Labor unions in the United States