United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez believes in tradition and hopes to continue to build on the tradition his union has built with the UAW.

“Walter Reuther and Caesar Chavez shared a vision that transcended the boundaries of trade unionism. They realized it would take more than a union to overcome the crippling poverty and economic challenges facing our society. It would take a movement,” said Rodriguez.

The two unions began their relationship in the late 1960s when Reuther befriended Chavez during the Grape Boycott. In 1965 Mexican and Filipino workers, fed up with poor working conditions and unfair pay, went on strike in Delano, Calif. Their heroic efforts gained the attention of Chavez. He took the fight to the streets,  organizied a march and urged farm workers across the nation to join the union.

IEB members surprised Rodriguez when in a show of support the UAW donated $75,000 to the UFW. Photo by Rebecca Cook.

When news of the farm workers’ plight reached Reuther, he threw his support behind the cause. The two organizations have marched together, fought together, and joined together in fighting for social and economic justice for all workers for more than four decades.

“The UAW has joined with us time and time again to help us build our union. Today, in honor of the Reuthers, there’s sign at the [UFW] headquarters marking their support to our cause,” he said.

Rodriguez highlighted some of the UFW’s historic battles, including the case of 24-year-old Constantino Cruz Hernandez, who was one of four Central Valley (California) farm workers – three in Kern County – who died of heat exposure in 2005. Hernandez’s death prompted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to issue the first state regulation in the nation to prevent heat illness.

“We will never walk away from a fight,” said Rodriguez.

He highlighted a time when former UAW Secretary-Treasurer Emil Mazey saw to it that all the migrant workers on strike had coats and boots; of how Reuther was a constant champion and cheerleader for the UFW cause, and encouraged them through both victory and defeat; of the support of Leonard Woodcock as an adviser.

“We walk in the shoes of giants,” Rodriguez said.

IEB members surprised Rodriguez when in a show of support the UAW donated $75,000 to the UFW. “Solidarity that binds us together, continues to bind us together forever, said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn.

Gwynne Marie Cobb