Union Activism and Organization: Legacies from the Manong Generation

Facing intolerable working conditions, the Manongs who had sought employment in California’s agricultural fields came to recognize that they occupied the bottom of the wage scale, were being met with increasing discrimination, and lacked a sovereign government to speak on their behalf. These Manongs, disillusioned by the harsh reality of working in the fields, were ready to bring about social change.

"The manongs who came in the 1920s were children of colonialism," Abba Ramos, a veteran organizer in the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union, says. "They were radicalized, because they compared the ideals of the U.S. constitution, which they were taught in the islands, and of the Filipinos' own quest for freedom, with the harsh reality they found here."[i]

Many white farm owners viewed Filipinos as docile and unintelligent because the Manongs had often accepted wage-scale cuts without question. Adding to this perception was the debilitating fact that Manongs usually worked usually under a contractor who dealt with the farmer. Farmers enjoyed this system as it relieved them of the responsibility of contact with their own employees. In turn, the contractors made a substantial salary by keeping part of the Manong’s pay as an “agent’s fee.”[ii] Most farmers believed that Filipinos, by nature, would be unwilling to join unions and that labor organization would prove too complex for the Manong, who often not yet out of their teens, to ever master. These farmers, mistaken in their belief, were in for a rude awakening!

The Manongs of California’s agricultural fields took action. Citing the example of three thousand Filipino and Japanese sugar plantation workers who had struck in 1919 to demand that Hawaiian sugar planters pay higher wages, provide an eight-hour work day, create an insurance fund for retired employees and offer paid maternity leave, Californian Manongs united in hopes of improving their living and working conditions.

They first turned to the all white American Federation of Labor (AFL). However, AFL leaders viewed Filipinos as direct competition and made it abundantly clear that the “Filipino labor menace” would never be included in their union.

This rejection did not sway the determination of the Manongs who set about creating their own unions. One of the first was the Agricultural Workers League which was organized in 1930. Other Manongs found support from the Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union (CAWIU) which had ties to the communist Trade Union Unity League.[iii]

In August 1930, the American Legion in Monterey began a campaign to ban the employment of Filipinos in sardine canneries claiming they were “Reds.” Protests made by the Filipino National Society declared that Filipino employees were exposed to public hostility and threatened with violence. However, the protests fell on deaf ears and thirteen canneries eliminated their Filipino employees “as far as possible.”[iv]

In May 1932, pea pickers in Half Moon Bay lead a 24 hour walk-out asking for wage increases, improved housing and medical services in exchange for their return.[v] This strike proved unsuccessful due to poor organization and presences of armed deputies.[vi]

Undaunted, the CAWIU carefully organized a November orchard pruner’s Strike in Solano County. The unsuccessful strike lasted until January 1933. Manongs requested “basic minimum wage of $2.50 for an 8 hour day, time and a half for overtime, free transportation and work implements, union recognition, cessation of evictions, and rehiring without discrimination on grounds of race, color, or union affiliation.”[vii] Violence marked the strike. Police often clashed with the strikers and local vigilantes kidnapped the union organizers, shaved their heads, and painted their bodies red.[viii]

The CAWIU regrouped and called for a militant state wide “general strike” in 1933. On April 14,1933 pea pickers in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties struck, asking for wage increases.[ix] Uncle Raymond vividly recalled this strike, declaring, “That was us!” He also found it laughable that anyone would believe him to be a Communist.

By August 1933 more groups joined the general strike. Lettuce workers in Salinas and Watsonville and grape pickers in Kern County struck for wage increases. Beet workers in Oxnard demanded the elimination of labor contractors and the recognition of their Union. In all there were twenty five strikes. Twenty one of the strikes resulted in wage increases and only four of the strikes were lost.[x] Sadly, the pea pickers strike in Alameda County, in which Uncle took part, was lost. Many acts of violence and intimidation were perpetuated upon the Manongs during the general strike. Police visited the labor camps arresting or evicting any Filipino who refused to immediately return to work. Even the local charities conducted a most uncharitable survey aimed at refusing aid to “able-bodied men who refuse to work in the fields.”[xi]

“The Filipino is a real fighter and his strikes have been dangerous... Once the Filipino attempted to organize, he ceased to be a desirable worker.”[xii]

During the general strike of 1933, farmer owners were plotting their own strategies. The newly formed Farmers Association (which was controlled by the biggest farm corporations) pushed through anti-picketing legislation in 20 rural California counties and pressured courts and police to arrest CAWIU leaders.

“In 1933 Rufo Canete and other Filipino labor leaders met in Salinas and formed the Filipino Labor Union (FLU). In less than a year, the FLU launched a drive to organize farm workers of all nationalities around the goals of an increased minimum wage (to 35 cents per hour), an eight-hour day, employment without racial discrimination, recognition of the union as a bargaining agent and the abolition of labor contractors.

Under the leadership of Canete, D.L. Marcuelo, Johnny Estigoy, Nick Losada and others, the FLU grew rapidly to seven chapters and over 2,000 members. Soon after the demands were rejected, the FLU called the first strike. Almost 7,000 men and women employed in the lettuce fields and packing sheds in Salinas went on strike. The Salinas Lettuce Strike completely shut down the lucrative industry and the union's demands were soon granted.”[xiii]

In January 1934 spinach cutters in San Mateo County struck for wage increases and in February brussel sprout workers in Pescadero also demanded wage increases.[xiv]

One evening, as I sat chatting away in the warm, sweet smelling kitchen while he shuffled about making dinner, I was caught off guard when Uncle Raymond suddenly held a brussel sprout far above his head. “You like these?” he asked and without waiting for a response he was swept away in a rushing tide of vivid memories, telling me of working in a wide field filled with brussel sprouts plants. Uncle’s speech grew increasingly more rapid and his Tagalog accent more staccato as his story unfolded, “We cut with a big knife, long!” he exclaimed, showing the size of the knife then making sweeping motions with his hand and arm to demonstrate, “Like this!” I could see the stalks falling about his feet. Turning the brussel sprout to it’s butt end Uncle pushed it toward my face, wanting me to see, “And then here! Each one!” Uncle stared into my eyes for a moment, emphatic that I understand how much labor, exactly how many cuts, went into gathering that little bowl full of brussel sprouts. Satisfied, he toss the brussel sprouts into a pot of boiling water and his attentions again returned to making the family meal. The “way back machine” moment was over. Everything continued as placidly as if the intensity of his conversation, the fluid dance of farming gestures, and my close encounter with a brussel sprout’s bottom had never happened. But ,it was my turn to feel excited. Uncle had let me in again, given me another glimpse of his world, trusted me with the significance and magnitude of his story. So I just keep sitting there, listening, watching, and glowing.

The low wage earning Manongs were often the preferred employees of farmers who grew the most labor intensive crops. Filipinos comprised nearly the entire asparagus-picking work force in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. The asparagus growers found it profitable to employ increased numbers of Manongs per acre, ensuring an efficient and more productive harvest. However, this profit-making strategy decreased the already low wages of the Manongs. Therefore, in March 1934 asparagus cutters in Sacramento County struck for wage increases.[xv]

When in April 1934 Strawberry pickers in Sacramento County struck for wage increases, local authorities used tear gas to disrupt altercations in the fields.[xvi]

Remembering the traditional Filipino values of team work and laboring for the good of the entire community, members of the Filipino Labor Union (FLU), who handled over 80 percent of the Salinas Valley lettuce crop, formed an alliance with white packing shed workers backed by the AFL.[xvii] The two groups stuck demanding union recognition and improved conditions. Both Unions agreed to work together. Neither Union was to sit down at the bargaining table without the presence of the other. Weeks later, the farm owners and shippers agreed to meet with the Union and a tentative agreement was reached on a Saturday night. The meeting ended with farmers and shippers declaring, “Send your workers back to work immediately, and we'll negotiate on Monday."[xviii]

As the following day was Sunday, and by past practice had been a day of rest, none of the workers from either Union returned to their jobs until Monday morning. A curious shift of tone over took the negotiation. Farmers and union representatives from the packing shed workers sat down to negotiate. However, these same farmers refused with Union representatives for the Filipino lettuce pickers claiming that the Manongs had "violated the agreement to return to work immediately."

Thus, at the very moment the AFL broke their word and sat down to negotiations without the FLU present, organized gangs of white vigilantes burned Filipino labor camps, drove Filipino union organizers out of town, and brought in scabs to pick the lettuce. The Manongs had been rejected by the AFL once more.

“Violence was common during other strikes, as well. In 1933, 700 Filipino lettuce pickers struck in Salinas Valley, California. This union grew to 2,000 workers and joined the 1934 strike in Monterey with an AFL affiliate union, the Vegetable Packers Association. During this latter strike, labor leaders were arrested, two workers were shot, and the labor camp where hundreds of Filipino farm workers lived was burned to the ground.”[xix]

By the end of 1934, many of the CAWIU leaders had been arrested for criminal syndicalism and the Union became inactive.[xx] While short lived, the CAWIU left an important legacy to all unions by fostering interracial cooperation between Mexican, Filipino, Puerto Rican, Japanese, and white farm workers.[xxi]

The indomitable spirits of the Mangos would not be broken. With awe inspiring courage they continued to organize and cry out against unfair labor practices. In February of 1935, pea, celery, lettuce pickers in Santa Ana stuck for wage increases to 25¢ per hour and a nine-hour work day.[xxii]

1935 also saw the passage of the Wagner Act which made unionization legal. Filipino labor leaders were overjoyed. They strongly believed that the right to demand better wages would lead to social equality. Grudgingly, the AFL agreed to grant a charter to a Filipino – Mexican union of fieldworkers in 1936 and in 1937 a Cannery Union was formed by Manongs working in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

“Wage earners must be organized to have rights and promote their own welfare whether the method is collective bargaining with employers or the administration of law. With organization labor is all powerful: without organization it does not have power, authority or rights."

~ American Federation of Labor

Still the fight for a living wage raged on. In February 1936, Manongs struck against H.P. Garin Company in San Diego County, seeking Union recognition, 30¢ per hour, and 60% union preference. This action showed courage as H. P. Garin Company owned three packing sheds and twenty two cottages for employees. They shipped fruits and vegetables all over the country using refrigerated railcars. Garin was a powerful company, controlling more than 30,000 acres across the state of California with a headquarters in Brentwood. [xxiii]

The right to legally for unions did not guarantee change for the better. In the fall of 1936, Filipino Union members in Santa Cruz and San Joaquin Counties struck for higher wages. For the most part, their demands were ignored.

The Filipino Labor Union also staged another lettuce strike in Salinas. Even with the backing of legislation and unions, minority farm laborers continued to face an onslaught of ruthless discrimination.

"When the sob sisters of America, particularly those of California, could not get rid of the Mexicans in any other way, the Filipino was brought in to displace him, the most worthless, unscrupulous, shiftless, diseased, semi-barbarian that has ever come to our shores."

~Pacific Rural Press, May 9, 1936[xxiv]

Feelings of Unionism became so strong that in Kern County, during the summer of 1937, Filipinos were warned that unless they were able to present union cards, or join the union local there, they would not be employed.[xxv]

“In 1938 representatives from all the Filipino organizations on the Pacific Coast voted to form the Filipino Agricultural Laborers Association. However, Filipino organizers such as Francisco Varona, Macario Bautista and Lamberto Malinab believed inclusion of all farmworkers was critical, and invited Mexican workers and other ethnic groups into their ranks. They later changed the union's name to the Federated Agricultural Laborers Association (FALA).”[xxvi]

By 1938 Woody Guthrie was making appearances in support of labor unions and wrote such songs as I Ain’t No Home in This World Anymore, inspired by his visits to migrant labor camps.



“In 1939 FALA won its most significant victory with a successful strike of the asparagus industry. After a one-day stoppage involving thousands of workers, all 258 growers signed an agreement guaranteeing unprecedented worker rights. The success in the asparagus industry prompted other victories in the celery, brussels sprouts and garlic fields from San Mateo to San Benito counties. By 1940, there were nearly 30,000 FALA members.”[xxvii]

In 1940, the AFL chartered the Filipino Federated Agricultural Laborers Association.

“Filipino labor activists not only organized unions, but fought to make them clean and democratic, responsive to the needs of their members.”[xxviii]

Not even in WWII were Filipinos treated with dignity. In the 1940’s, Filipino military recruits from both the United States and the Philippines were promised U. S. citizenship in return for their service to the nation. However in 1946 this promise was rescinded by the Rescission Act which took away Filipino WWII veterans benefits, services, and privileges. Futhermore, discrimenation against Filipinos was so rampant that all of the sixty-six countries allied with the United States during the war, the Philippines was the only country that did not receive military benefits from the United States.

The U. S. economy improved after WWII but the trickle down to those on the bottom rungs of the social ladder was minimal.

In 1956, Larry Itliong founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in California. By 1959, Itliong had become a key Filipino labor organizer. Working in collaboration with Philip Veracruz and Pete Velasco, Itliong advocated for Filipino Unions to join with the AFL-CIO. Eventually his efforts lead to the creation of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC).

"On September 8, 1965, at the Filipino Hall at 1457 Glenwood St. in Delano, the Filipino members of AWOC held a mass meeting to discuss and decide whether to strike or to accept the reduced wages proposed by the growers. The decision was 'to strike" and it became one of the most significant and famous decisions ever made in the entire history of the farmworkers struggles in California. It was like an incendiary bomb, exploding out the strike message to the workers in the vineyards, telling them to have sit-ins in the labor camps, and set up picket lines at every grower's ranch… It was this strike that eventually made the UFW, the farmworkers movement, and Cesar Chavez famous worldwide."

~ Philip Vera Cruz[xxix]

On September the 8th, 1965, Larry Itliong lead the grape strike in Delano in which began with a Filipino farm-workers sit down strike in the Cochella Vineyards.Two weeks later, the AWOC and Cesar Chavez's National Farm Workers Association combined efforts. The strike lead to a national boycott of California Table Grapes and the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW).

“Together with another Filipino - Philip Vera Cruz, Larry Itliong convinced Cesar Chavez's predominantly Mexican NFWA (National Farm Workers Association) to join the strike and boycott in the Delano grape fields in 1965, demanding better pay and benefits from the grape growers. Thereafter, the Filipino and Mexican farmworkers groups joined together to form the United Farm Workers (UFW).”[xxx]



In 1967, with the formation of the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) Larry Itliong became an Assistant Director to Ceasar Chavez.

“You are never strong enough that you don't need help.”

~ Cesar Chavez

Larry Itliong resigned from the UFW in 1971 when Chazer held meetings with Phillipine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. However, Itliong remained active in his fight for social justice supporting the cause of retired Manongs and community and civic projects.

In 1972, Itliongs distrust of Marcos proved well founded. Marcos declared martial law, prompting hundreds to flee in a search for political freedom.

Writing this section has been particularly poignant. My husband volunteered with the United Farm Workers in the 1970’s handing out information at grocery stores regarding the grape strike and unionizing farm workers. He is now the president of our local teacher’s union. I am also involved with the teacher’s union in a minor role, acting as a site representative. Would Uncle be proud of our service? Would he feel that we follow in his footsteps, embodying the ideals set forth be the Manong Generation? I hope so.

"America is not bound by geographical lattitudes. America is not merely a land or an institution. America is in the hearts of men that died for freedom; it is also in the eyes of men that are building a new world."

~ Carlos Bulosan[xxxi]

Dahil Sa Iyo! was the song the heard in the Delano Grape Strike film clip. Nat King Cole sings it like an Angel.



Dahil Sa Iyo
Lyrics and rough tanslation

Sa buhay ko'y labis
Ang hirap at pasakit, ng pusong umiibig
Mandin wala ng langit
At ng lumigaya, hinango mo sa dusa
Tanging ikaw sinta, ang aking pag-asa.

Long have I endured in my life
The pain and sorrows from Love arise
Then you came and redeemed me, my dear,
My only hope in my darkest fears

Dahil sa iyo, nais kong mabuhay
Dahil sa iyo, hanggang mamatay
Dapat mong tantuin, wala ng ibang giliw
Puso ko'y tanungin, ikaw at ikaw rin

Because of you, I yearn to be alive
Because of you, ‘till death (you) must realize
In my heart I know there is only you
And ask my heart, you’ll know that this is true

Dahil sa iyo, ako'y lumigaya
Pagmamahal, ay alayan ka
Kung tunay man ako, ay alipinin mo
Ang lahat ng ito, dahil sa iyo

Because of you, I found happiness
That to you I offer this love that is so blessed
Though indeed I may be a slave for loving you so true
It matters not to me, ‘cause everything’s because of you

Imagine my surprise when my husband, Rico, told me that Auntie Cora and Uncle Santos Beloy recorded this song in the 1960’s. Here’s Auntie Cora and Uncle Santos with their version of Dahil Sa Iyo in English and Tagalog. The green album cover from their 1964 record will be featured from second 6 to 13.
.


ENDNOTES
[i] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unions in American Agriculture” p.129
[ii] The Brawley News, December 19, 1935.
[iii] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unions in American Agriculture” p.129
[iv] The San Francisco Examiner, August 25, 1930.
[v] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.129
[vi] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.85
[vii] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” pgs. 85-86
[viii] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p. 86
[ix] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.129
[x] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p. 87
[xi] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p. 89
[xii] McWilliams, Carey. “Factories in the Fields” p.133
[xiii] Salomon. Larry. “Filipinos Build a Movement for Justice in the Asparagus Fields” Third Force, Vol. 2, # 4, Oct, 31, 1994, p.30
[xiv] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.129
[xv] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.129
[xvi] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.111
[xvii] DeWitt, Howard A. “The Filipino Labor Union: The Salinas Lettuce Strike of 1934” Amerasia Journal, Vol. 2, #5, 1978
[xviii] The Farmworker’s Website http://www.farmworkers.org/strugcal.html.
[xix] Kim, Marlene. “Organizing Asian Americans into Labor Unions” U of Massachusetts, Boston
[xx] Ruiz, Vicki and Korrol, Virginia Sanchez. “Latinas in the United States: a historical encyclopedia: Vol. 1 pgs. 117-118
[xxi] Gonzales, Gilbert G. “Company Unions, The Mexican Consulate, And The Imperial Valley Agricultural Strikes, 1928 -1934” The Western Historical Quarterly, 27, Spring 1996
[xxii] Jamieson, Stuart Marshall. “Labor Unionism in American Agriculture” p.123
[xxiii] Leighton, Kathy. “Footprints in the Sand”
[xxiv] “The Farm Labor Problem Grows Acute” The Pacific Rural Press, May 9, 1936.
[xxv] The Farmer Labor News, Modesto, April 23, 1937
[xxvi] Salomon. Larry. “Filipinos Build a Movement for Justice in the Asparagus Fields” Third Force, Vol. 2, # 4, Oct, 31, 1994, p.30
[xxvii] Salomon. Larry. “Filipinos Build a Movement for Justice in the Asparagus Fields” Third Force, Vol. 2, # 4, Oct, 31, 1994, p.30
[xxviii] Bacon, David. “ The Living Tradition of Filipino Union Activism” http://dbacon.igc.org/Phils/06LivingTradition.htm
[xxix] Scharlin, Craig and Villanueva, Lilia. “The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement”
[xxx] DFA Press Release.“California Assembly Honors Late Filipino Labor Leader Larry Itliong” April 6, 2006
[xxxi] Bulosan, Carlos. “America Is In the Heart”