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UFW
Sen. Kamala Harris wins the support of the United Farm Workers at the union's convention in Long Beach, Calif. |
Sen. Kamala Harris received a much needed boost with the endorsement of the powerful United Farm Workers.
The endorsement Saturday (Nov. 16) comes just before another Democratic debate and as Harris' campaign has been plunging in the primary polls since June.
“These working families are the lifeblood of our economy and our communities, and this union has long been on the front lines in the fight for justice in America,” Harris said.
Although Filipinos only make up a fraction of today's UFW, the 11,000-member union and its history still resonates strongly among Filipino Americans who grew up in the 60s and 70s and college-age Filipinos.
The influential California-based farm workers labor group, which was formed when Filipino and Mexican farm workers joined forces in the 1960s. Established by liberal organizing icons Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Filipino American labor leaders the late Larry Itliong, Phillip Vera Cruz and Andy Imutan, the union has a long history in progressive politics. The union represents more than 10,000 agricultural workers in California and along the West Coast. The union also has a strong political grassroots presence in the Southwest.
The union’s executive board and leadership voted “overwhelmingly” to endorse Harris, UFW President Teresa Romero said in a press statement. The union did hear from other Democratic candidates before making their endorsement.
Huerta personally endorsed Harris earlier this year.
"Senator Harris has the longest history of working directly with the UFW," said United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero said at the UFW National Convention at Long Beach, Calif.
"We also support Senator Harris because of her bold leadership on immigrant rights, from championing genuine immigration reform to voting against funding for Trump’s cruel and useless wall."
Although Filipinos only make up a fraction of today's UFW, the 11,000-member union and its history still resonates strongly among Filipino Americans who grew up in the 60s and 70s and college-age Filipinos.
The influential California-based farm workers labor group, which was formed when Filipino and Mexican farm workers joined forces in the 1960s. Established by liberal organizing icons Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Filipino American labor leaders the late Larry Itliong, Phillip Vera Cruz and Andy Imutan, the union has a long history in progressive politics. The union represents more than 10,000 agricultural workers in California and along the West Coast. The union also has a strong political grassroots presence in the Southwest.
The union’s executive board and leadership voted “overwhelmingly” to endorse Harris, UFW President Teresa Romero said in a press statement. The union did hear from other Democratic candidates before making their endorsement.
Huerta personally endorsed Harris earlier this year.
"Senator Harris has the longest history of working directly with the UFW," said United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero said at the UFW National Convention at Long Beach, Calif.
The UFW statement continued:
"She led the fight for equal treatment and protection of farm workers. She is author of the federal bill providing overtime pay after eight hours a day for America’s farm workers. She lobbied the governor to sign California’s landmark law in 2016 providing phased-in overtime and to strengthen the state rules preventing worker deaths and illnesses from extreme heat. She has joined farm worker marches and the 2016 UFW convention.
"We also support Senator Harris because of her bold leadership on immigrant rights, from championing genuine immigration reform to voting against funding for Trump’s cruel and useless wall."
The UFW's endorsement and lobbying efforts will be invaluable for Harris as she seeks the nomination of California's Democrats at the party's upcoming convention and the union's ability to marshal up foot soldiers to knock on doors. She will need the UFW's influence in California where Harris is lagging behind Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“In this campaign, we are fighting injustices that leave too many Americans without access to health care, living wages and basic dignity, and together with my brothers and sisters in labor, I know we will win,” said Harris.
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