The Struggle for Farm Workers Rights

In this dissertation turned book, Marco Prouty explores the relationship between labor activist César Chávez and the Catholic Church during the labor movements of the 1960s and 70s.

The thesis of the book is that throughout these major labor movements "the Catholic Church, through the Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Farm Labor, played an invaluable role in bringing peace to California's valleys and victory to César Chávez's movement - La Causa (the cause)."

Prouty attempts to highlight some of the never before uncovered internal debates between the American Catholic hierarchy about how exactly to approach the labor strife. The Catholic Church was essentially caught in the middle between the mostly Mexican workers (Catholics) and the growers (Catholics). Chávez needed and eventually received the support of the Catholic Church, but not without much internal debate and discussion.

The two major conflicts that resulted were the Delano Grape Strike followed immediately by the Battle of the Salad Bowl. Chávez became an iconic figure organizing workers against the unfair employment practices of the growers culminating in the formation of the United Farm Workers. After the Delano Grape Strike, Chávez had to fend of the Teamsters who attempted to coopt the lettuce workers, and the Battle of the Salad Bowl began.

Throughout, the role of the Catholic Church in many ways parallels the struggle within the organization as it shifted its own focus from the fight for social justice to conservatism. It didn't help that the Pontiff switched several times during the period and with each change in leadership came a shift in focus.

Overall, the book is well-researched drawing on the archives of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. A good read for anyone wanting to learn more about labor history in California. ( )