Farm Workers Organize for Better Conditions
"Farm Workers Organize for Better Conditions" is a Grade 3 history lesson in Social Studies Alive! California's Communities (Chapter 3: History - Settling California) that details César Chávez's leadership of the California farmworker movement. Students learn that farmworkers had dangerous, low-paid jobs and needed collective power to be heard. In 1965, Chávez helped them launch a historic strike against grape growers, refusing to work until conditions improved. They also organized a nationwide boycott asking Americans to stop buying grapes, which ultimately won the workers better pay and safer working conditions.
Key Concepts
Sometimes, a group of workers feels they are not treated fairly. For example, farmworkers in California had very hard jobs for little pay. They wanted to make things better, but it was hard for one person to make a big change alone.
César Chávez helped the farmworkers join together to make their voices heard. In 1965, they began a historic strike against grape growers. This is when all the workers agree to stop working at the same time to show they are serious about their needs.
Common Questions
Who was César Chávez?
César Chávez was a labor and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and led campaigns to improve wages and working conditions for farmworkers in California and across the U.S.
Why did farmworkers go on strike in 1965?
California farmworkers had very difficult jobs — picking crops in hot fields — for very low pay and with no protections. In 1965, they began a strike against grape growers to demand better wages and safer conditions.
What is a strike?
A strike is when workers collectively agree to stop working at the same time to pressure their employer to address their demands. It is a form of collective bargaining power.
What is a boycott?
A boycott is when people agree to stop buying a product or service to put economic pressure on the company producing it. The farmworkers' grape boycott asked all Americans to stop buying grapes.
How did the strike and boycott help farmworkers?
By combining the strike (stopping work) with the boycott (reducing sales), farmworkers created economic pressure on grape growers. Eventually, growers agreed to negotiate and workers won better pay and safer conditions.
What grade covers the farmworker movement?
This lesson is in Chapter 3: History - Settling California of Social Studies Alive! California's Communities, Grade 3.