Convention honors 1960s union pioneers on Saturday,
2,000 farm workers set organizing agenda on Sunday
Bakersfield, Calif.—Farm worker delegates honor union pioneers from the 1960s who helped build the United Farm Workers of America during its early years with a three-hour afternoon program hosted by Luis Valdez and the Teatro Campesino on Saturday at the Rabobank Convention Center.
Sunday’s schedule focuses on 2,000 farm workers from companies under UFW contract and at ranches where they are seeking union representation as they chart an ambitious new campaign to organize and negotiate UFW contracts across California. Following are highlights from the Saturday and Sunday convention schedule:
Saturday, May 19, 2012
–11:45 p.m. address by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
–1 p.m. address by California Democratic Party Chair John Burton
–1:20 p.m. three-hour program honoring the UFW pioneers, including 1965-1970 grape strikers and boycotters, 1966 marchers to Sacramento and Filipino farm workers who began the 1965 Delano walkouts—hosted by MC Luis Valdez with old union songs and actos (short skits) performed by a troupe from El Teatro Campesino; address by UFW First Vice President Emeritus Dolores Huerta
–7:30 p.m. dinner addresses by Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo and California state Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg
Sunday, May 20, 2012
–7:45 a.m. Catholic Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Garcia of the Monterey Diocese honoring the five UFW martyrs and their families
–9:30 a.m. program charting the new UFW organizing drive with participation by 2,000 farm workers under contract and at ranches seeking union representation
–11:15 address by International Brotherhood of Teamsters Vice President Rome Aloise
–11:30 a.m. address by Univision news anchor Maria Elena Salinas
–1 p.m. address by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
–1:45 pm address by United Auto Workers International President Bob King
UFW convention proceedings are at the Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield 93301.
*The UFW’s 50th Anniversary Convention and Awards dinner is sponsored by Chevron, Southern California Gas Co., AT&T, Budweiser, Southwest Airlines, Office &Professional Employees International Union and LatinPointe.