Migrant grape workers, c. 1970s

Migrant grape workers, c. 1970s

Farm workers in locations like California had long experienced poor living conditions, low wages, and bigoted treatment. In the late 1980s, the UFW took steps to boost the status of field workers in the U.S. - both through boycott campaigns (the "Wrath of Grapes" campaign began in 1986) and political lobbying. As an example of the UFW's success in the political arena, in April 1987, the Labor Department instituted a new requirement after 15 years of negotiation.. Subsequently, large-sized farms had to provide their workers with clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. The new measure benefited an estimated 500,000 workers.

-Cris Sanchez ("farm worker stacks crates of harvested grapes")
-John Kouns ("farm worker tends to grape vines"
-Unknown (farm workers using short-handled hoes)

Walter P. Reuther Library

Wayne State University

1970s;
unknown dates