Career Timeline of Cesar Chavez: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Cesar Chavez built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Cesar Chavez was a prominent American labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). His ideology blended left-wing politics with Catholic social teachings, advocating for the rights and fair treatment of farmworkers. Alongside Dolores Huerta and Gilbert Padilla, Chavez dedicated his life to improving working conditions and wages for agricultural laborers, becoming a significant figure in the American labor movement.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1947: Chavez joined National Farm Labor Union (NFLU)

In 1947, Chavez joined the National Farm Labor Union (NFLU) and picketed cotton fields in Corcoran and participated in strikes against DiGiorgio grape fields. He led caravans asking workers to join them.

1953: Chavez Laid Off and Employed by CSO

In late 1953, Chavez was laid off by the General Box Company. Fred Ross then secured funds so that the Community Service Organization (CSO) could employ Chavez as an organizer.

1955: Chavez Returned to San Jose to Rebuild CSO Chapter

In late 1955, Chavez returned to San Jose to rebuild the CSO chapter there to sustain an employed full-time organizer. He opened a rummage store, organized a three-day carnival and sold Christmas trees, although often made a loss, to raise funds.

1957: Moved to Brawley to Rebuild CSO Chapter

In early 1957, Cesar Chavez moved to Brawley to rebuild the Community Service Organization (CSO) chapter there. The FBI began monitoring Chavez and opened a file on him.

1959: Became CSO National Director

In 1959, Chavez became the national director of the Community Service Organization (CSO), based in Los Angeles, after working with the organization to register laborers to vote.

March 1962: Chavez Resigns from CSO

At the ninth annual Community Service Organization (CSO) convention in March 1962, Chavez resigned from the organization.

April 1962: Cesar Chavez moves to Delano and begins planning farm workers union

In April 1962, Cesar Chavez and his family relocated to Delano, California. Under the guise of conducting a census of farm workers, Chavez began planning what would become the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA). Dolores Huerta became a key ally in this project. The California Migrant Ministry became key allies as well.

September 30, 1962: Formalization of the National Farm Workers Association

On September 30, 1962, the National Farm Workers Association was formalized at a convention in Fresno, with Chavez elected as general-director. Delegates agreed on monthly dues and adopted the motto "viva la causa" along with a flag featuring a black eagle.

1962: Co-founded the NFWA

In 1962, Chavez left the CSO to co-found the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in Delano, California, initiating initiatives like an insurance scheme, a credit union, and the El Malcriado newspaper for farmworkers.

January 1963: Chavez elected president of the NFWA

In January 1963, at the NFWA's constitutional convention in Fresno, Chavez was elected president, with Huerta, Julio Hernandez, and Gilbert Padilla as vice presidents.

1963: NFWA Structure, Dues, and Credit Union

In 1963, Chavez maintained control of the NFWA by ensuring that the group's officers had ceremonial roles while control rested with the staff. He collected membership dues, established an insurance policy, and launched a credit union for NFWA members after receiving a state charter. The newspaper, El Malcriado, increased its print run due to demand.

September 1964: NFWA Headquarters Move

In September 1964, the NFWA moved its headquarters from Chavez's house to an abandoned Pentecostal church in West Delano.

April 1965: Rose grafters strike

In April 1965, rose grafters approached the NFWA for help in organizing a strike for better working conditions. The strike targeted Mount Arbor and Conklin. After four days, the growers agreed to raise wages.

September 1965: Delano grape strike initiated

In September 1965, Filipino American farm workers initiated the Delano grape strike, and Chavez and his supporters voted to support them. Picketers protested, and growers sought to provoke them. Chavez insisted on non-violence. Donations were collected to support those arrested.

December 1965: UAW joins Delano Grape Strike and Boycott Launched

In December 1965, Walter Reuther of the United Automobile Workers joined Chavez in a pro-strike march, bringing national media attention. The UAW pledged monthly donations. Chavez, influenced by the civil rights movement, launched a boycott campaign, targeting the Schenley liquor company.

1965: Decline in Picketers

By 1965, the number of picketers had declined, so Chavez invited left-wing activists to join them.

1965: Delano grape strike begins

In 1965, Chavez began organizing strikes among farmworkers, most notably the Delano grape strike.

March 1966: Senate Subcommittee Hearings and March to Sacramento

In March 1966, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Migratory Labor held hearings in California, attended by Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Chavez decided on a 300-mile march to Sacramento to attract attention to their cause.

June 1966: DiGiorgio Workers' Election and Teamster Victory

In June 1966, after contract negotiations, Chavez ended the Schenley boycott and targeted DiGiorgio Corporation. An election among DiGiorgio workers resulted in a Teamster victory after DiGiorgio altered the terms. Chavez appealed to Governor Pat Brown.

1966: Delano Protest Camp Forms

By late fall 1966, a protest camp had formed in Delano, offering a medical clinic and children's nursery. The El Teatro Campesino entertained protesters.

June 1967: Chavez Purges the Union and Teatro Split

In June 1967, Chavez launched a purge of the union, ostensibly to remove communists. Tensions between Chavez and the Teatro led to the Teatro splitting from the union.

August 1967: Strike against Giumarra and Grape Boycott

In August 1967, Chavez announced a strike against Giumarra followed by a boycott of their grapes.

1967: NFWA merges with AWOC to form UFW

In 1967, amid the Delano grape strike, Chavez's NFWA merged with Larry Itliong's AWOC to form the United Farm Workers (UFW).

February 1968: Chavez Begins a Fast

In February 1968, Chavez began a fast to reaffirm his commitment to peaceful protest. Masses were held at Forty Acres, attracting supporters and clergy. Doctors urged him to end the fast after three weeks.

February 1968: Giumarra Company Obtains Contempt Citation

In February 1968, the Giumarra company obtained a contempt citation against the union, claiming threatening and intimidating behavior and property damage.

July 1969: Negotiations with Lionel Steinberg

In July 1969, Chavez negotiated contracts with Lionel Steinberg, a grape grower in the Coachella area, allowing Steinberg's products to be sold with a union logo, exempting them from the boycott. Other growers followed suit, resulting in contracts being signed with the union.

July 1970: Conflict with Teamsters Union in Salinas Valley

In July 1970, Chavez was angered when the Grower-Shipper Association in California's Salinas Valley renegotiated contracts with the Teamsters. He traveled to Salinas to address dissatisfied lettuce cutters and led them to strike against the Teamsters' representation.

July 29, 1970: Delano Growers Sign Contracts with the Union

On July 29, 1970, the Delano growers signed contracts with the union at the Forty Acres Hall, in front of the press. These contracts included wage rises for pickers, a health plan, and safety measures for pesticide use.

1970: Delano grape strike ends

In 1970, after 5 years of organizing, the Delano grape strike, led by Cesar Chavez, concluded.

November 1972: Proposition 22 Defeated

In November 1972, California growers organized a ballot on Proposition 22, which would ban boycott campaigns. Chavez tasked LeRoy Chatfield with running the campaign against it, and Proposition 22 was defeated by a vote of 58 percent to 42 percent.

September 1973: UFW's First Constitutional Convention

In September 1973, the UFW held its first constitutional convention in Fresno. A new constitution was announced that granted the president significant powers. The UFW agreed to scrap monthly membership fees and allow volunteers to become members.

November 1974: Jerry Brown Elected Governor

In November 1974, Jerry Brown, the Democratic Party's candidate, was elected governor of California.

1974: Financial Struggles and European Tour

By 1974, the UFW was broke and its boycott was floundering. Chavez flew to Europe to urge unions there to block imported goods, and he met with Pope Paul VI in Rome, who commended his activism.

1974: Poor People's Union idea

In 1974, Chavez proposed the idea of a Poor People's Union with which he could reach out to poor white communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

February 1975: March to Gallo Headquarters

In February 1975, the UFW organized a four-day march from San Francisco to the Gallo Wine headquarters in Modesto, where a crowd of around 10,000 protesters amassed.

June 1975: California Agricultural Labor Relations Act Signed

In June 1975, Governor Brown signed the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) into law, guaranteeing farmworkers the right to a secret ballot for union representation. This was seen as a UFW victory.

July 1975: "1000 Mile March" and Second UFW Convention

In July 1975, as the UFW prepared for elections, Chavez organized a "1000 mile march" from the San Diego border up the coast. During the march, he attended the second UFW convention.

1975: California Agricultural Labor Relations Act Passed

In 1975, Chavez's alliance with California Governor Jerry Brown helped ensure the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act.

July 1976: Chavez attends Democratic Party's National Congress

In July 1976, Cesar Chavez attended the Democratic Party's National Congress in New York and delivered a speech nominating Brown as the party's presidential candidate. Jimmy Carter eventually won the 1976 election, later initiating an administration that was keen to fund UFW projects.

November 1976: UFW Purges and Resignations

In November 1976, Nick Jones resigned under pressure, expressing concerns about Chavez's leadership direction. Joe Smith was also fired, and Chavez ordered interrogations to identify alleged malcontents, creating a McCarthyite-style atmosphere within the UFW.

April 1977: "The Monday Night Massacre" at La Paz

In April 1977, at a meeting in La Paz, later called "the Monday Night Massacre", Cesar Chavez verbally abused and ejected individuals he deemed malcontents or spies. Philip Vera Cruz, an executive board member, was also forced out after being accused of being part of the conspiracy.

1977: Chavez Visits the Philippines

In 1977, Chavez visited the Philippines as a guest of President Ferdinand Marcos, receiving an award and an honorary doctorate. He then spoke positively about Marcos' introduction of martial law to The Washington Post. This generated outcry in the U.S. because of Marcos' human rights abuses and eroded support among religious organizations.

1977: UFW Legal Department Changes and Political Fund

In 1977, the UFW's lawyers asked for a raise, which lead to the discussion about whether the UFW should start paying wages to everyone or instead continue to rely on volunteers. The executive committee split, with the older members narrowly prevailing to remain a voluntary organization. Also in 1977, contributions to the UFW's political fund became mandatory for members.

June 1978: Chavez Jailed During Arizona Strike

In June 1978, Cesar Chavez joined a picket in Yuma as part of his cousin's Arizona melon strike. He broke an injunction and was jailed for a night.

September 1978: UFW Election Losses

By September 1978, the UFW faced growing anger from vegetable workers, resulting in the union losing two-thirds of the 22 farmworker elections that took place between June and September 1978.

January 1979: UFW Wage Demands and Strike

In January 1979, the UFW made its wage demands after its contracts had expired. Chavez organized a new strike over wages, hoping that salary increases would stem the UFW's losses. Eleven lettuce growers in the Salinas and Imperial Valleys were included in the strike, which caused lettuce prices to soar.

May 1980: Training Session for Paid Representatives

In May 1980, Chavez brought paid workers' representatives to La Paz for a five-day training session. The paid representatives' job would be to ensure a smooth relationship between the growers and the UFW.

May 1981: UFW Meeting at La Paz

In May 1981, at a meeting at La Paz, Cesar Chavez insisted that the UFW was being infiltrated by spies. He arranged for more loyalists to be put on the executive board, which now had no farmworkers sitting on it.

September 1981: UFW Fresno Convention and Antisemitism Allegations

At the UFW's Fresno convention in September 1981, paid representatives nominated their own choices to go on the board, rather than Chavez's. Chavez's supporters responded with leaflets claiming that the paid representatives were puppets of "the two Jews", bringing allegations of antisemitism against Chavez. Chavez proposed a measure that representatives of a ranch would be obliged to vote for Chavez's chosen candidates if 8% of workers at the ranch signed a petition. The measure passed.

1981: Menacing Assault on the Union

In 1981, Chavez spoke about the convention facing yet another menacing assault on the union clandestinely organized by evil forces that were visible and invisible who wanted to destroy the union.

1982: Decline in Membership Dues

In 1982, membership dues brought in $2.9 million.

January 1983: Decline in UFW Contracts

In January 1983, UFW contracts covered 30,000 jobs.

November 1984: Chavez Speaks to Commonwealth Club of California

In November 1984, Chavez gave a speech to the Commonwealth Club of California.

January 1986: Further Decline in UFW Contracts

By January 1986, UFW contracts had fallen to 15,000 jobs.

July 1988: Chavez Launches Public Fast

In July 1988, Cesar Chavez launched another public fast at Forty Acres as the UFW's boycott of Bruce Church products failed to gain traction. Three of Robert Kennedy's children visited, generating media attention for the fast.