Today, Teamsters Local 2010 celebrates César Chávez Day and honors his enduring, decades-long legacy of fighting for the rights of Latino farm workers. Together with Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers, he championed workers’ rights, social justice, and the dignity of the millions of farm workers who keep America fed. As the pandemic drags on and 2 million farm workers continue to labor in American fields as truly essential workers, we stand with UFW and the organizers fighting to make sure that all farm workers have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and vaccinations, and that their health and safety at the workplace is protected.
“César Chávez is a hero of the American labor movement and an icon of the fight for civil rights. In his honor, we all must continue to fight for the dignity and respect that every American worker, including immigrant workers, are owed,” said Teamsters Local 2010 Secretary-Treasurer Jason Rabinowitz.
Growing up as the child of migrant workers and soon working in the fields himself, César Chávez knew first-hand the racist and classist dangers farm workers faced, including exposure to pesticides, lack of drinking water, abusive supervisors, and more. His organizing and leadership led to protections that many farm workers had never before experienced, forcing American consumers to acknowledge the farm workers who kept them fed, and truly demonstrated the power of unity and solidarity.
“Every worker deserves a union and every American union has benefited from the example of César Chávez. He created the stage that showcased the invisible farm workers. He was an incredible fighter who knew that together, workers are unstoppable. Sí, se puede!” said Teamsters Local 2010 President Catherine Cobb.
To learn more about César Chávez and the history of the United Farm Workers, check out the UFW website by clicking here.