chicano Labor movement pt.2 (3/12/25)

Labor Shortage during World War II

• World War II causes significant labor shortages in the U.S. due to multiple factors:

  • American workers enlist and go to fight in the war.

  • Japanese and Japanese Americans are placed in internment camps, removing a substantial workforce.

The Bracero Program

• Established to address the labor shortage by importing workers from Mexico.

• Aligned with FDR's Good Neighbor Policy, emphasizing diplomatic relations with Latin America.

• Involves negotiations between:

  • U.S. Government

  • Mexican Government

  • Growers (farm owners)

• Key aspects of the program:

  • Workers (Braceros) provided contracts before arriving in the U.S., detailing:

    • Living conditions

    • Wages

    • Work hours

    • Meals

  • Contracts were designed to protect workers who were not U.S. citizens and often paid less than standard wages.

Negotiation Interests

• Different interests represented at the negotiation table:

  • U.S. Government: Aims to acquire as many workers as possible for agricultural needs.

  • Growers: Seek to hire workers at the lowest cost with minimal regulations.

  • Mexican Government: Wants to:

    • Ensure fair treatment and wages for their citizens.

    • Maintain control over contract distributions to avoid labor shortages in Mexico.

• In initial negotiations, the Mexican government gains significant leverage since the U.S. needs labor to sustain agriculture during the war.

Regulations and Decline of Power

• The Bracero Program evolves from 1942 to 1964, with frequent renegotiations:

  • Initially, the Mexican government secures regulated contracts ensuring decent wages and working conditions.

  • Over time, as U.S. farming interests grow, regulations decline, leading to:

    • An increase in undocumented workers entering the U.S.

    • Growing tensions regarding labor conditions and wage standards.

Cesar Chavez and the Labor Movement

• By the 1960s, Cesar Chavez emerges as a significant figure in advocating for workers’ rights:

  • Opposed undocumented laborers, believing they undercut wages for Mexican American workers.

  • His activism included marches to address the impact of undocumented workers on wages.

  • Contrary to current UFW policies, Chavez focused on Mexican American labor community interests