UFWOC’s Charter Celebration

Mariachi band performing at the UFWOC charter presentation event, Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

The National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) merged to form, under the AFL-CIO, the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) on August 22, 1966. This affiliation was facilitated by William Kircher, director of organizing at the AFL- CIO, who after visiting the pilgrimage to Sacramento in April had transferred AWOC funds and headquarters to Delano, under the direction of Larry Itliong, and recognized NFWA’s claim to represent DiGiorgio workers pulling out AWOC from the ballot. Fearing to lose their autonomy, NFWA leaders were skeptical of the merger, but the need to preserve unity during the DiGiorgio election campaign persuaded them to affiliate. When UFWOC was officially chartered, César Chávez became director and Larry Itliong assistant director. Besides Chávez and Itliong, the UFWOC’s executive board included leaders from both NFWA and AWOC: Gilbert Padilla, Philip Vera Cruz, Dolores Huerta, Tony Orendáin, Andy Imutan, Julio Hernández, Manuel Vásquez, and DeWitt Tannehill. UFWOC won unprecedented autonomy from the AFL-CIO and as an organizing committee it was entitled to a monthly subsidy.

Agustín Lira and Luis Valdez singing on stage during the UFWOC presentation, Delano, 1966

Agustín Lira and Luis Valdez, co-founders of El Teatro Campesino, sing on stage at the Pius X Youth Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church during the UFWOC charter presentation. People in the audience are standing, holding AFL-CIO signs, and singing. Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Larry Itliong holding the UFWOC charter, Delano, 1966

Larry Itliong holds the UFWOC charter during the new union presentation at the Pius X Youth Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. César Chávez and Donna Haber are also visible in the background. Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Larry Itliong, Bill Kircher, and César Chávez holding the UFWOC charter, Delano, 1966

At the Pius X Youth Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Larry Itliong, AFL-
CIO director Bill Kircher, and César Chávez hold the UFWOC charter. On that day,
Kircher presented the UFWOC charter to Chávez and Itliong in front of the farm
workers present in the audience. Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by
John Kouns.

Farmworkers attending the UFWOC presentation, Delano, 1966

A large crowd, primarily composed of farmworker families and union supporters, attends an event at the Pius X Youth Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Delano where Bill Kircher, regional director of the AFL-CIO, presented the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) charter to César Chávez and Larry Itliong. Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

Farmworkers attending the UFWOC presentation, Delano, 1966

A large crowd, primarily composed of farmworker families and union supporters, attends an event at the Pius X Youth Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Delano where Bill Kircher, regional director of the AFL-CIO, presented the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) charter to César Chávez and Larry Itliong. Delano, California, August 28, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

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