Chicano labor movement 3/10/25

Overview of the IWW

• Industrial Workers of the World (IWW): Known as one big union or a big tent organization.

• Ideology: Explicitly anti-capitalist; avoids association with socialist or communist parties due to their hierarchical structures.

• Organizational Structure: Prefers horizontal decision-making, often referred to as anarchist, particularly "anarcho-syndicalism" which emphasizes workers' organization without elected leaders.

Labor Movement in the Central Valley

• The IWW is a key labor union organizing in the Central Valley, crossing racial lines during a time of widespread segregation and racial policies among labor unions.

• Demographics of Labor: The labor population in California shifts to include a growing number of Mexican and Mexican American workers amidst poor economic conditions.

• California becomes the largest agricultural-producing state by the 1930s, surpassing Texas and Midwestern states, leading to the emergence of a farmworkers' movement primarily focused in regions like the Central Valley and Coachella Valley.

Two Wings of the Farm Workers' Movement

• One wing is associated with Mexican consulates, advocating for moderate demands and cooperation with growers.

• The other wing is associated with the IWW, advocating for radical demands and representing a broad cross-section of workers regardless of race.

Role of Mexican Consulates

• Mexican Consulates: Established to support Mexican migrants adapting in the U.S.; their role was to ensure worker rights without promoting radicalism or rebellion.

• Moderate Demands: Those aligned with the consulates have been seen as more conciliatory and focused on maintaining peaceful relations with American growers.

Historical Context of Labor Strikes

• 1933: A year marked by significant labor conflicts in California, notably involving strikes at El Monte, Tagus Ranch, and throughout the Central Valley.

• El Monte Strike: Initiated by around 600 workers, advocating for better wages and union recognition in agricultural contract negotiations.

• Union Recognition Demand: Workers sought to have their union represent them in negotiating annual contracts with farmers, which historically occurred without worker input.

• Exclusion from Labor Legislation: Agricultural workers were often excluded from New Deal labor laws due to the seasonal and migratory nature of farm work.

El Monte Strike Details

• Resulted in moderate terms favorable to the consuls, with notable cooperation from local law enforcement to control the strike.

• Strikers received some concessions but did not achieve the desired outcomes that would empower their union.

Tagus Ranch Strike Details

• Tagus Ranch: Owned by Hewlett Merritt, a major agricultural enterprise and the world’s largest stone fruit producer.

• Workers were paid in scrip money, which could only be spent at company stores, effectively trapping them in economic dependence on the ranch.

• Key Demands: Workers called for an end to scrip, a 40-hour work week, and wage increases based on performance.

• The strike saw dramatic confrontations as the owner attempted to evict striking workers from ranch property, with local law enforcement initially refusing to intervene.

Outcomes of the Tagus Ranch Strike

• Eventually led to the abolition of scrip money, allowing workers to be paid in actual currency, which was a significant victory for the labor movement despite other concessions.

• The aftermath highlighted the distinct roles of moderates associated with the consulates versus radicals from the IWW, with this strike showing a shift towards radical leadership in negotiating worker demands.