What Happened to United Farm Workers (UFW)?
The United Farm Workers (UFW) is a prominent labor union founded in 1966 by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong, dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of farmworkers in the United States. While its membership has fluctuated since its peak in the 1970s, the UFW continues to be an influential voice, actively engaging in legislative advocacy, organizing campaigns, and providing services to farmworkers, particularly on issues of immigration reform and worker protections, even as it navigates recent controversies regarding its late co-founder.
Quick Answer
The United Farm Workers (UFW) continues its mission as a leading advocate for farmworker rights, primarily in California and other key agricultural states, as of August 2026. Led by President Teresa Romero, the union is actively involved in legislative efforts for immigration reform, such as supporting the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and opposing measures that could harm farmworker wages. The UFW and its Foundation are also addressing the significant impact of immigration enforcement on undocumented farmworkers and have recently responded to allegations of past misconduct by co-founder Cesar Chavez.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) Founded
Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Gilbert Padilla founded the National Farm Workers Association, laying the groundwork for a unified farmworker movement.
Delano Grape Strike Begins
Filipino-American farmworkers of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) initiated a grape strike in Delano, California, soon joined by the NFWA, marking a crucial moment in farm labor history.
United Farm Workers (UFW) Formed
The NFWA and AWOC merged to form the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW), solidifying a powerful union for farmworkers.
Starr County Strike in Texas
The UFW organized farmworkers in Texas, leading to a historic strike in Starr County's cantaloupe fields and a 500-mile march to Austin demanding better wages and the right to organize.
National Grape Boycott Intensifies
The UFW launched a national boycott against California table grapes, gaining widespread support from religious groups, unions, and the public, significantly pressuring growers.
Grape Growers Sign First Union Contracts
After years of strikes and boycotts, California grape growers signed the first union contracts with the UFW, marking a major victory for farmworker rights.
California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) Passed
The UFW's advocacy led to the passage of this landmark legislation, which recognized the right of farmworkers in California to organize and bargain collectively.
Membership Decline and 'Wrath of Grapes' Campaign
UFW membership significantly shrank due to political changes and internal issues, but the union launched the 'Wrath of Grapes' campaign to raise awareness about pesticide dangers.
Cesar Chavez Dies; Arturo Rodriguez Becomes President
UFW co-founder Cesar Chavez passed away, and his son-in-law, Arturo Rodriguez, assumed the presidency of the union.
UFW Disaffiliates from AFL-CIO
The UFW disaffiliated from the AFL-CIO, later becoming a member of the Change to Win labor federation.
California Overtime Pay for Farmworkers Law
The UFW successfully championed the first law in the country providing farmworkers in California with overtime pay after eight hours a day.
UFW Warns of Immigration Enforcement Impact
UFW President Teresa Romero warned that increased immigration enforcement was causing fear among farmworkers, potentially impacting food supply chains.
Allegations Against Cesar Chavez Emerge
Reports emerged alleging sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez; the UFW Foundation cancelled commemorative events and stated it was taking the allegations seriously.
UFW Foundation Opposes Wage-Lowering Legislation
The UFW Foundation condemned the 'Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act,' arguing it would lower farmworker wages and displace American workers.
UFW Foundation Unveils Undocumented Farmworker Survey
The UFW Foundation released a survey detailing the experiences of 2,250 undocumented farmworkers, highlighting fears of detention and deportation amidst increased immigration raids.
UFW Endorses Farm and Food System Workforce Act
The UFW endorsed the 'Supporting Our Farm and Food System Workforce Act,' aiming to establish an Office of the Farm and Food System Workforce within the USDA.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The United Farm Workers (UFW) emerged in 1966 from the merger of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), under the leadership of iconic figures like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. Its formation marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for farmworker rights, addressing decades of low pay, harsh working conditions, and lack of legal protections. The UFW pioneered nonviolent strategies, including strikes, boycotts (most notably the Delano grape boycott), and marches, which garnered widespread public support and brought national attention to the plight of agricultural laborers.
A key turning point was the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) in 1975, a landmark achievement that granted farmworkers the right to organize and bargain collectively, largely due to the UFW's persistent advocacy. The union also secured significant legislative victories in California, such as the first state standards for preventing heat-related illnesses and a law providing overtime pay for farmworkers after eight hours a day.
However, the UFW's influence and membership saw a decline after its peak in the 1970s, when it represented between 30,000 and 80,000 workers. Factors contributing to this decline included political shifts, particularly under California Governor George Deukmejian in the 1980s who reportedly halted enforcement of farm labor laws, internal conflicts, and the inherent difficulties in organizing a transient and often vulnerable workforce. By early 2021, membership was reported around 6,200, though a UFW spokesman in March 2026 stated the union represents about 10,000 workers across four states: California, New York, Washington, and Oregon.
As of August 2026, the UFW, led by President Teresa Romero, continues to be a significant political force, advocating for farmworker rights beyond its direct membership. Its current efforts include championing comprehensive immigration reform, notably supporting the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which aims to provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented agricultural workers. The UFW Foundation, a sister organization, plays a crucial role by providing vital services, including immigration legal assistance, and conducting research, such as a July 2026 survey on the impact of immigration raids on undocumented farmworkers. The union is also actively opposing legislation like the 'Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act,' which it views as detrimental to farmworker wages and job security.
In March 2026, the UFW and UFW Foundation publicly addressed serious allegations of sexual abuse against the late Cesar Chavez, acknowledging the gravity of the claims and cancelling commemorative events, while working to establish a process for individuals to report their experiences. This development has prompted a broader conversation about Chavez's legacy and the movement's history. Despite these challenges and a smaller membership base compared to its heyday, the UFW remains dedicated to its mission of empowering farm laborers and improving their working and living conditions.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if United Farm Workers (UFW) made different choices?