Major Controversies Surrounding Cesar Chavez: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Cesar Chavez.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

1968: Fred Hirsch notes Chavez's Leadership

In 1968, Fred Hirsch observed that Cesar Chavez took full responsibility for as much of the operation as he was physically capable of, making all the decisions himself.

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.

1972: "Illegals Campaign"

In 1972, Chavez believed that any strike undertaken by agricultural workers could be undermined by "wetbacks" and "illegal immigrants". Chavez launched the "Illegals Campaign" to identify illegal migrants for deportation, claiming the CIA was part of a conspiracy to bring them in as strikebreakers.

1972: John Zerzan Describes Chavez

In 1972, John Zerzan described Cesar Chavez as presenting himself as "a Christ-figure sacrificing all for his flock" through his fasts, adding that Chavez took the form of a "messianic leader".

1972: Criticism and Reassignment of Richard Chavez

In early 1972, Richard Chavez confronted Cesar about the UFW losing support in Delano, leading to his reassignment. Concerns arose about monthly dues, the Salinas strikers' fund, and inexperienced volunteers. Later in 1972, Richard and Huerta briefly left the UFW due to frustration.

April 1973: Strike in Coachella Valley and Clashes with Teamsters

In April 1973, Chavez called a strike in the Coachella Valley as the UFW's contract with grape growers expired. The Teamsters union organized counter-protests, leading to violent clashes. The AFL-CIO provided the UFW with renewed financial support in exchange for pushing for state legislation to govern farmworkers' rights.

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.

February 1977: UFW Executive Board Visits Synanon

In February 1977, Cesar Chavez took the UFW's executive board to the Synanon compound, where they participated in "the Game", a therapy system involving harsh criticism. Chavez then implemented it at La Paz to shape behavior and punish nonconformity.

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.

June 1978: Chavez Recites Poem by Mao

In June 1978, Cesar Chavez opened a board meeting by reciting a poem by Mao Zedong, reflecting his study of various leaders and their approaches to power.

1979: UFW Strike

In 1979, the UFW led a strike against the Maggio company, during which the union carried out illegal actions.

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.

1987: UFW Found Liable for Damages

In 1987, the UFW was found liable for $1.7 million in damages to the Maggio company for the illegal actions that the union carried out against it during their 1979 strike.

1988: Jury Verdict Against UFW

In 1988, a jury returned a $5.4 million verdict against the UFW in a libel case with Bruce Church, but this verdict was later thrown out in the appeals court.

January 1989: Hartmire Resigns

In January 1989, Hartmire resigned from La Paz after purges instigated by Chavez, who accused more people of being saboteurs.

1993: Chavez Testifies in Court

In 1993, Cesar Chavez was called to testify in front of a Yuma court in the legal battle between the UFW and Bruce Church, a case with potentially devastating financial consequences for the union.