United Farm Workers Ephemera Collection, 1966-2008

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Summary

Creators:
United Farm Workers
Abstract:
The United Farm Workers (UFW) agricultural labor union was founded in Delano, California, in August 1966. The union gained national recognition for leading the Delano grape strike from 1965 to 1970, which resulted in a collective bargaining agreement with grape growers and brought widespread attention to the farm workers' movement. Cesar Chavez led the UFW from its founding until his passing in 1993. The collection includes flyers, posters, short publications, and other ephemera related to the UFW, the Delano grape strike, various UFW campaigns, and Chavez's enduring legacy.
Extent:
6.58 Linear Feet (2 boxes and one flat file drawer)
Language:
English and Spanish
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], United Farm Workers Ephemera Collection, Collection no. 0006, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains flyers, posters, short publications, and other ephemera documenting the United Farm Workers (UFW) agricultural labor union. Materials highlight the Delano grape strike, various UFW campaigns, and the legacy of longtime UFW leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

Biographical / historical:

The United Farm Workers (UFW) agricultural labor union was established in Delano, California, in August 1966, following the merger of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC). The NFWA, founded in 1962 by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, grew out of the Agricultural Workers Association (AWA), which Huerta had established in 1958.

The Delano grape strike began on September 8, 1965, when the predominantly Filipino AWOC, led by Philip Vera Cruz, Larry Itliong, Benjamin Gines, and Pete Velasco, walked off the farms of table-grape growers in protest of low wages. One week later, the predominantly Mexican American NFWA joined the strike. "Huelga!"—the Spanish word for strike—became the movement's rallying cry.

Following the merger, Chavez was appointed president of the newly formed UFW and quickly expanded the strike's reach. In addition to calling for consumer boycotts, he sought support from dockworker and grocery worker unions to prevent the shipment and sale of non-union grapes. UFW representatives traveled across the country to garner public backing, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy openly supported the farm workers' cause. The strike concluded in 1970 when the UFW secured a collective bargaining agreement with grape growers.

Throughout the 1970s, the union continued to win elections and negotiate contracts with growers. A landmark victory came in 1975 with the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which established collective bargaining rights for farm workers and created the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) to oversee union elections and address unfair labor practices. During the 1980s and 1990s, the UFW expanded its efforts to include immigration reform and advocacy for pesticide regulations.

Chavez remained president of the UFW until his death on April 23, 1993. In recognition of his contributions, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp in his honor in 2003, and in 2014, President Barack Obama proclaimed Cesar Chavez Day a U.S. federal commemorative holiday. Since Chavez's passing, the UFW has continued its mission to organize farm workers, advocate for legal and regulatory reforms, and lead boycotts of non-union agricultural products.

Acquisition information:
The materials in the collection were purchased by California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2007 and 2008 with funds from a Hispanic-Serving Institution grant awarded by the United States Department of Education.
Processing information:

The initial processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The collection was initially processed by Danette Cook Adamson and Ernesto Sanchez in August 2009. In 2019, Alexis Adkins conducted additional processing and revised the finding aid to enhance accessibility and discoverability. As part of this update, the collection number was changed from SC2009/1 to 0006, and the title was updated from Farm Workers Flyers Collection to United Farm Workers Ephemera Collection. In March 2025, Andrew Kopp further revised the finding aid to incorporate digital objects.

Arrangement:

The materials are arranged alphabetically by folder title in the finding aid but does not reflect physical arrangement.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access. Digitized materials are available and can be accessed via the respective links in the item-level descriptions.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], United Farm Workers Ephemera Collection, Collection no. 0006, Special Collections and Archives, University Library, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Location of this collection:
3801 West Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768, US
Contact:
(909) 869-3775
speccollections@cpp.edu
Website