Newspaper clippings for Onion Strike (1979)
![Children of the [Onion] Fields](https://omeka.utrgv.edu/files/original/026040a01aa1e5778eecf9d8b459d078.jpg "Children of the [Onion] Fields")
Dublin Core
Title
Newspaper clippings for Onion Strike (1979)
Subject
Labor movement--United States--History--20th century
Description
Texas Farmworkers Union launched an onion pickers strike on April 4, 1979, on the farm of Charles Wetegrove, son of Edward Raymond, founder of the city of Raymondville. As with previous farmworker strikes, local law enforcement was brought in by growers as a means to deter picketers and protestors. Organizers, like Juanita Valdez, and others were arrested.
As TFW attempted to negotiate higher wages for onion pickers, their efforts were ended prematurely by Othal Brand of McAllen, who brought in his own farmworkers and bought out all the produce in the fields.
During the same period, United Farm Workers led a strike of Gulf Distributing Company's fields near Mercedes. UFW advocated for farmworker wage increases from $0.60 to $2.00 per bag of onions. Farmworker unrest spread throughout the Valley, including "sit-down" strikes in Weslaco and Alton.
As TFW attempted to negotiate higher wages for onion pickers, their efforts were ended prematurely by Othal Brand of McAllen, who brought in his own farmworkers and bought out all the produce in the fields.
During the same period, United Farm Workers led a strike of Gulf Distributing Company's fields near Mercedes. UFW advocated for farmworker wage increases from $0.60 to $2.00 per bag of onions. Farmworker unrest spread throughout the Valley, including "sit-down" strikes in Weslaco and Alton.
Date
1979
Collection
Citation
“Newspaper clippings for Onion Strike (1979),” UTRGV Digital Exhibits, accessed December 21, 2024, https://omeka.utrgv.edu/items/show/1699.