First UFW Convention in Fresno

The floor of the UFW’s First Constitutional Convention, Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1973. Photo by John Kouns.

The United Farm Workers held its First Constitutional Convention at Selland Arena of the Fresno Convention Center in Fresno, California between September 21 and September 23, 1973. A 16-by-24-foot big banner by Chicano artist Carlos Almaraz hung behind a podium.

Irwin DeShetler, César Chávez, and people holding hands and singing at the UFW’s First Constitutional Convention, Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1973. Photo by John Kouns.

The acrylic painting was in the style of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera with Teamsters ready to attack farmworkers protected by picket signs and the Virgin of Guadalupe. The convention sought to organize and renew the union’s efforts against lettuce and grape growers, including setting up delegates to run against Teamster candidates in the upcoming elections.

Philip Vera Cruz, Dolores Huerta, and César Chávez standing on stage at the UFW’s First Constitutional Convention, Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1973

Philip Vera Cruz (left), Dolores Huerta (second from the left), and César Chávez (third from the left) on stage at the UFW’s First Constitutional Convention at Fresno Convention Center’s Selland Arena in Fresno, California. They were all elected members of the UFW’s first Executive Board. Philip Vera Cruz was the second executive vice-president, Dolores Huerta was the first executive vice-president, and César Chávez was the president.

It also solidified the UFW as a full-fledged union with autonomy compared to just an organizing committee through a new charter from AFL-CIO. The union was hurting, having lost contracts to Teamsters and the lives of strikers Juan de la Cruz and Nagi Daifullah, which halted the strike. The new constitution vested large power in the president compared to the workers or their elected representatives. In contrast to the first constitution for the Farm Workers Association in 1962, which determined not to accept outside funds, the new 1973 constitution made the union almost dependent on outside financial support.

Father Eugene Boyle speaking at a microphone during mass at the UFW’s First Constitutional Convention, Selland Arena, Fresno, CA, 1973. Photo by John Kouns.

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