Farm Workers Give Union High Marks

Most migrtant and seasonal farm workers in ther farm labor movement that Cesar Chavez leads in California see that movement as the best path for improving their lives, anthropologist say.

One of the first surveys of the farm workers ever made was conducted in California’s San Joaquin Valley in July and August, said W.Kenneth Barger, chairman of anthropology department at Indiana-Purdue University.

Barger and Ernesto Reza of the University of Michigan headed the California study. The research was co-sponsored by the National Farm Worker Ministry, an agency of the National Council of Churches.

The scientist interviewed 195 workers, including 138 local workers and 57 migrants. Of the 195, 28% were at ranches under UFW contract, 72% from non-union ranches. Two-thirds of the interviews were conducted in Spanish.

The researchers said 91% of the grape workers surveyed in the lower San Joaquin Valley believe the UFW is good for farm workers and 83% say the union’s efforts and activities have improved the lives of farm laborers.

The report said 64% of those sampled said they were present or past UFW members and 78% said they would vote for the UFW in a state-sponsored union election at the ranch on which they work.

In contrast, 31% said growers have helped the workers and 39% credited new laws and social programs for improving conditions.