Learn how Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, Mexican American leaders of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), joined efforts of change, which led to the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.
Chavez and Giumarra Sign Labor Contract
Genre: Photograph | Photographer: Unknown | Date: 1970
Background
This photograph from 1970 shows Cesar Chavez and John Giumarra Jr., a California vineyard owner and a driving force in the table grape-growing industry, preparing to sign a labor contract. After strikes failed to improve working conditions, the United Farm Workers (UFW) led a nationwide boycott of table grapes. The boycott pressured growers to sign this first union contract.
Pose the following question to students.
How can mass action for changes in society end up transforming individuals?
Use this additional sourcing information to further contextualize the source in order to deepen students’ analysis and evaluation.
This 1970 photograph shows union leader Cesar Chavez and John Giumarra Jr., a California vineyard owner and a driving force in the table grape–growing industry, preparing to sign a labor contract.
The photographer’s purpose was to document the signing of the contract. The union representing farmworkers secured contracts with 85 percent of table grape growers.
The photograph was for the general public.
This source shows one way activists tried to inspire change was by working for improvements in working conditions through the formation of unions and protest.
Use the following information to provide reading comprehension support.
Explain to students that news photography plays an important role in how people view events. Discuss with students the significance of this photograph and what the signed contract meant to the farmworkers.
Have students examine the photograph carefully. Discuss what Cesar Chavez and John Giumarra Jr. are doing. Ask students why their actions are significant.
To extend discussions, consider asking the following questions.
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