Filipinos Uniting Farm Workers

Learn how the Filipino people were the ones who led the Farm Workers strike, and were the ones whom created the Farm Labor Union.

Learn about the Filipino Community in California Part 5/8 Narrator: The work of thousands of Filipinos wanted them to make California Heart Land one of this today, a multi-billion dollar agriculture industry, the next California, the fifth largest economy in the world. Yet, few people are aware that Filipino farmers played a crucial part and one of the great labor movements of America history collaborating with Cesar Chavez. Male: The conditions in the fields were amazing with these guys put up with. A gentleman by the name Larry Itliong was in Stockton and he was part of a labor movement to give Filipinos involved in this so issue of unfair labor and they fields. Dr. Alex: We have 1965 where people think that United Farm Workers, Chicano started this movement but actually was the Filipinos to drag to Mexicans into a labor movement. Filipino from Sacramento Stockton, the center valley is basically following the crop rotation. They’re down in Coachella valley to get to Delano. Andy: And so, the workers kind of upset already about what’s happening considering that they came from Coachella, they were getting $1.40 there, and here in Delano it was $1.10. Dr. Alex: Filipinos got on strike, big problem. The Mexicans are going to become the strike breakers. So Itliong then goes up to Chavez and says “look, we need your support” and Chavez says “No, I cannot give you my support”, Itliong says “why not?” Chavez says “I’m not ready”. “We’ll wait two or three more years.” and then Itliong says “No. We’d go on strike now? Can you join us or when you go out and strike in 1968, we’re going to break your strike.” Narrator: Larry Itliong joined his group of Filipinos was seized by Chavez’s group of Chicanos and together, they created the Untied Farm Workers, the most successful farm labor union known for today.