Why marching California farmworkers want Gov. Newsom to sign union voting rights bill AB 2183
Despite injuries, high temperatures, United Farm Workers continue a 24-day march to the Capitol.
Despite injuries, high temperatures, United Farm Workers continue a 24-day march to the Capitol.
Despite injuries, high temperatures, United Farm Workers continue a 24-day march to the Capitol.
A group of farmworkers and their supporters are just days away from completing a nearly monthlong march across California.
The group is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would give them more options and protections while voting for union elections.
The United Farm Workers union is supporting farmworkers on a "peregrinación," or pilgrimage, from Delano in Kern County to the state Capitol. It’s similar to the route Cesar Chavez organized back in 1966. This time, in support of Assembly Bill 2183, which would give farmworkers protection from what they call intimidation in union elections.
Yolanda Chacon Serna grew up marching with her family in the '60s. She’s been a union organizer for 30 years and continues to carry on Cesar Chavez’s mission, her mentor who she came to know as “Tío Cesar.”
“I say I have my political degree from the United Farm Workers union,” Chacon Serna said. “My neighbors and my community were my teachers, and they taught me how to stand up and how to speak out."
It’s a 24-day, 335-mile journey from Delano to Sacramento. The marchers are trekking in busy cities, off the sides of highways, and under triple-digit temperatures, all to urge Newsom to sign the bill.
"I'm marching in honor of my grandma, who also marched with the cannery workers of Watsonville in the 60s," said Kimberly Cuevas Trujillo. "She actually marched with Cesar Chavez as well."
At the end of each day, marchers have been greeted with a warm welcome in a new city, a reminder they’re one step closer to the bill’s deadline.
“This bill mirrors the way we vote in California for elected officials. Assembly Bill 2183 gives the opportunity to farm workers to vote from home, by mail, by asking someone to help, by asking somebody to drop it off if they want to, or in person if they want,” United Farm Workers President Theresa Romero said. “We're in communication with the governor; my staff is communicating with them. There have been some proposals back and forth. We don’t know where we’re going to end up. There are still some things that we’re still not in agreement with, but at least we’re talking.”
A similar bill was introduced last year. It was vetoed by Newsom due to what he called “inconsistencies and procedural issues related to the collection and review of ballot cards.” There is significant opposition to the bill, including dozens of chambers of commerce across the state, and multiple agricultural organizations, farm owners and other businesses.
Lourdes Cardenas works in the fields and has marched hundreds of miles in support of the bill. Even with an injured tendon, she says the pain is worth it.
“My tendon is very inflamed,” Cardenas said in Spanish. “But I am worth it, we’re all worth it, if we moved forward together.”
With just a few days left until they get to the finish line, they're carrying on the legacy of the man who started it all.
“Cesar Chavez is my grandfather, and in many ways, what we’re doing here today is continuing his legacy. He said if you want to remember him organize, and I tell people today if you want to remember him, support farmworkers and join us in Sacramento,” said Andres Chavez, Cesar Chavez’s grandson. "They finished in Sacramento, in 1966, with 10,000 people. We have social media now. We have mass media like they didn’t have in ‘66. If they were able to do 10,000 people, my call to action is how large can we make it?”
The UFW march is set to arrive at the Capitol on Aug. 26. Organizers are expecting at least 5,000 people.