Farm workers in California had difficult times for many years as far as salaries and benefits were concerned. A man named Cesar Chavez came along and changed the way America looked at farming and the people who worked the lands were treated. Cesar Chavez played an integral role in the way in which farm workers live and survive today.
Chavez was born in Arizona and quickly learned what injustice was. His father was asked to clear 80 acres of land in exchange for rights to more land. He completed the job however when it came time for the Anglo landowner to compensate him, Chavez’s father was told there would be no compensation. After hiring a lawyer and battling, Chavez was unsuccessful and the family decided to move to California.
Once in California, Chavez decided to involve himself in the politics of farm worker compensation. He felt if he could bring national attention to his plight, people would look and support him. Chavez decided to fast whereby he would only drink water. One time he did this for over 20 days. He was successful as the nation looked his way and began to support him in his quest.
Chavez was able to start his own organization, National Farm Workers Association (later to become United Farm Workers). He continued to use the same tactics which were successful to him before. He was vocal and fasted for days on end. Generally his tactics resulted in an agreement between his union and that of the companies.
Chavez died in 1993, not before changing the way in which farm workers were compensated. He did this at the risk of his own personal health. Chavez was awarded the highest civilian decoration by former President Clinton, the Medal of Freedom. When Chavez passed, he was found resting with a book in his hand and a smile on his face, no doubt brought about by his satisfaction in what he accomplished and how others benefited from his actions.
www.ufw.org/cecstory.htm
www.incwell.com/Biographies/Chavez.html
http://www.sfsu.edu/~cecipp/cesar_chavez/chavezhome.htm