The lengths to which the growers went to ensure cheap labor was seen in September 1934. The 1934 Salinas Valley strike began in the lettuce fields and involved about 7,000 workers, of which 3,000 were Filipino. The strike was organized by the FLU, established by Rufo Canete and other Filipino labor leaders and was one of many Filipino unions that emerged during the 1930s.[1] Though broken, the strike awakened many to the power of ethnic unions. Growers and laborers later met at the negotiating table and grower-shippers made some small concessions, for example, giving a lunch break if working after 11 a.m.[2]
In the summer of 1934, the newly formed Filipino Labor Union joined the A.F. of L shed workers' union in a general strike in the lettuce belt of Salinas. [3] Previously, the FLU had attempted to negotiate with the grower-shippers for increased wages and improved working conditions. When the demands weren't met, the union members voted to strike on September 1st. Surprisingly, the white shed packers (which had formed a union called the Salinas Vegetable Packers' Association No. 18211) also demanded increased wages and better working conditions and joined the Filipinos in a collective-bargaining effort. The demands were for field workers wages to increase from 30 to 40 cents per hour, trimmers' wages were to be increased to 60 cents, and 48-hour work weeks were to be established. They also wanted time and a half overtime on Sundays and holidays. The two unions signed an agreement that neither would return to work until the demands were met.
The Salinas Vegetable Packers' Association had a separate meeting and voted to allow the Monterey Country Industrial Relations Board to settle the matter. Upholding their prior agreement with the FLU, a number of white shed workers attempted to resume the strike. However, they were forced to return to work when J. M. Casey, west coast representative of the A. F. of L. threatened to revoke their charter.
The Filipino union had lost its backing. Anti-strikers responded with violence. While the union was in session with the Industrial Relation Board, vigilantes burned a large labor camp owned by the union president, Rufo Canete, and inhabited by most of the union members. The vigilantes continued their attack, ending with 800 Filipinos driven out of the county at rifle point. [3]
Connotations: The attempt of a joint union between white workers and Filipinos was a turning point. Consequently, this shows that when faced with exploitation by growers, ethnic groups can band together in a unified cause. However, although attempted the unification didn't actually hold true. The shed packer unions' demands fell short when pressured by the A. F. of L. It can be speculated that the union was bribed by threats made real in regards to the Filipinos. Also, from this historical event, it can be seen how unions in the agricultural industry were received. Outright violence and hostilities were the immediate response. Conversely, in light of these hostilities, the Filipino ideals held fast. The FLU built a new union center in Guadalupe and established a wide membership base, becoming a prominent presence in California agriculture.
View related articles from the Daily Telegram:
Fear Strike At Salinas August 28, 1934
Seek End to Salinas Strike September 1, 1934
Many Filipinos Quit Strike Ranks September 4, 1934
DeWitt, Howard. "The Filipino Labor Union: The Salinas Lettuce Strike of 1934." Amerasia 5:2 (1978): 15.
Haldan, Kent Edward. "Our Japanese citizens": A Study of Race, Class, and Ethnicity in Three Japanese American Communities in Santa Barbara County, 1900-1960. Diss. University of California Berkeley, 2000. p. 337.
Stuart Marshal Jamieson. "Labor unionism in the American agriculture." Wisconsin: Arno Press Inc. 1979.