Before we can understand the labor dynamics of what Filipino immigrants faced in the United States, we have to retract to earlier history between the formation of the United States and Philippine relationship. In 1898 after Spain surrendered the Philippines to the United States, President McKinley issued the Benevolent Assimilation program “…which promised that the Americans came as friends and not as conquerors” (Mabalon 29). This eventually opened the gates of Filipino migration to the United States.
With poor living conditions in the Philippines, many young male bachelor Filipinos went to the United States. An excerpt from Philip Vera Cruz: A Personal History of Filipino Immigrants and the Farmworkers Movement stated that Filipinos would …show more content…
The Cannery Workers’ and Farm Laborer’s Union Local 18257 was created in 1933. The union was mostly compromised of Filipino laborers who work in the Alaska salmon canneries during the summer, and the agricultural fields during other seasons (Fresco). This was the same year the Great Depression hit the United States, which put many Filipinos out of work. However, founding members of the union Aurelio Simon and Virgil Duyungan, who would later be murdered by a labor contractor “realized that they needed a union to protect the rights of cannery and farm workers” (Fresco). Many came to the realization that they have a better chance of fighting for better labor conditions and protection as a group, rather than individuals with no organization. Dawn Mabalon said it best, “Filipinas/os were not ignorant of the power and usefulness of unions; labor unions were organized in Manila as early as 1910” (89). This shows that Filipinos have a long history of mobilizing together for a cause, which can still be seen to this day. The union had many goals they achieved such as, eliminating the contract labor system, where many laborers are exploited and taken advantage of. Additionally, the CWFLU created jobs for their members (Fresco). The Cannery Workers and Farm Laborers Union grew throughout the West Coast and fought for their rights along with gaining supporters …show more content…
Larry Itliong became one of the most outspoken leaders for better working conditions and higher wages for Filipino workers. Andy Imutan, an original striker from the 1965 walkout stated, “ [Summer of 1965] Filipino workers went on a strike demanding that their wages be increased from $1.10 an hour as well as better living conditions.” Winning against the growers became more difficult when Mexican workers started replacing the Filipinos for labor, known as “crossing the pickets”, it showed the lack of unity between Mexicans and Filipinos. Larry Itliong realized that change would not come under these circumstances. Therefore, he decided to meet with Cesar Chavez, the leader of the National Farm Workers Association. According to Imutan, Chavez initially hesitated in joining the fight because they were not “ready to go on a strike”. With the leadership of Larry Itliong under the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) and Cesar Chavez of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), two unions of different ethnicities formed the United Farm Workers. The Delano strike would go on for years, eventually grabbing national headline and gaining thousands of supporters (Imutan). According to UFW.org, by 1970, five years after the first Filipino strike on the Delano grape fields; “growers long last signed their first union contracts, granting workers better pay, benefits, and protections.” This was a significant
With poor living conditions in the Philippines, many young male bachelor Filipinos went to the United States. An excerpt from Philip Vera Cruz: A Personal History of Filipino Immigrants and the Farmworkers Movement stated that Filipinos would …show more content…
The Cannery Workers’ and Farm Laborer’s Union Local 18257 was created in 1933. The union was mostly compromised of Filipino laborers who work in the Alaska salmon canneries during the summer, and the agricultural fields during other seasons (Fresco). This was the same year the Great Depression hit the United States, which put many Filipinos out of work. However, founding members of the union Aurelio Simon and Virgil Duyungan, who would later be murdered by a labor contractor “realized that they needed a union to protect the rights of cannery and farm workers” (Fresco). Many came to the realization that they have a better chance of fighting for better labor conditions and protection as a group, rather than individuals with no organization. Dawn Mabalon said it best, “Filipinas/os were not ignorant of the power and usefulness of unions; labor unions were organized in Manila as early as 1910” (89). This shows that Filipinos have a long history of mobilizing together for a cause, which can still be seen to this day. The union had many goals they achieved such as, eliminating the contract labor system, where many laborers are exploited and taken advantage of. Additionally, the CWFLU created jobs for their members (Fresco). The Cannery Workers and Farm Laborers Union grew throughout the West Coast and fought for their rights along with gaining supporters …show more content…
Larry Itliong became one of the most outspoken leaders for better working conditions and higher wages for Filipino workers. Andy Imutan, an original striker from the 1965 walkout stated, “ [Summer of 1965] Filipino workers went on a strike demanding that their wages be increased from $1.10 an hour as well as better living conditions.” Winning against the growers became more difficult when Mexican workers started replacing the Filipinos for labor, known as “crossing the pickets”, it showed the lack of unity between Mexicans and Filipinos. Larry Itliong realized that change would not come under these circumstances. Therefore, he decided to meet with Cesar Chavez, the leader of the National Farm Workers Association. According to Imutan, Chavez initially hesitated in joining the fight because they were not “ready to go on a strike”. With the leadership of Larry Itliong under the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) and Cesar Chavez of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), two unions of different ethnicities formed the United Farm Workers. The Delano strike would go on for years, eventually grabbing national headline and gaining thousands of supporters (Imutan). According to UFW.org, by 1970, five years after the first Filipino strike on the Delano grape fields; “growers long last signed their first union contracts, granting workers better pay, benefits, and protections.” This was a significant