California Grape Workers’ Strike Timeline

1965

Workers on grape farms in California’s San Joaquin Valley go on strike, protesting poor conditions and low pay.

Labor organizer César Chavez describes some of the conditions farm workers faced in the following quote:

Every time we sit at the table to have something to eat, the fruit and the vegetables got there because someone was exploited. They’re subjected to the sun, and to the heat and to the cold, and to pesticide poisoning. They’re treated like animals. And they endure all the sacrifices and all the suffering so you can eat and I can eat. These men, and women, and children feed all of us, and they don’t have any food for themselves.

1966

César Chavez leads a march from Delano, in California’s San Joaquin Valley, to Sacramento to raise attention for the grape workers’ strike. Dolores Huerta negotiates with grape growers on behalf of the United Farm Workers union. Most growers refuse to negotiate.

1966–1970

The United Farm Workers union organizes a national boycott of grapes and continued strikes of grape workers. Grape sales drop 30–40% percent by 1969.

1970

Most grape growers agree to negotiate with the union. Grape workers receive a 6% salary increase and recognition for the union.