Cesar Chavez Memorial Day
- Apr 1, 2019
- 3 min read
https://www.labornotes.org/2019/03/macys-workers-win-sick-days-fighting-back-fashionably3
RE: (1) The success story of UFCW
Worker at some Macy's Stores &
(2) the commeration of the late
Great Labor Leader, Mr. Cesar
Chavez
Dear APDSE Members and Other DCRC
Independent Living Center
Advocates:
The above link describes a very successful Labor Union story that demonstrates that Solidarity among workers united through a Collective Bargaining Agent, in this case the United Food and Commercial Workers ("the UFCW") vastly, emphasis added, improved their terms and conditions of employment collectively.
In honor of the late, great Labor Leader, Mr. Cesar Chavez, the founder of the California Agricultural Worker's Board and the United Farm Workers ("the UFW") the undersigned dedicates the day off on Monday April 01, 2019, provided for through the APDSE - DCRC CBA for the benefit of all APDSE Collective Bargaining Unit Employees ("CBUE's") employed by DCRC. On behalf of Mr. Chavez, I am forwarding the above Labor Union success story, which he would endorse.
The late, great Mr. Cesar Chavez created the unique legal right for agricultural workers to Collectively Bargain in California, a legal right that most agricultural workers outside the state of California are unfairly denied because the National Labor Relations Act ("the NLRA") prohibits agricultural workers from asserting their legal right to collectively bargain. With this said, it is critical to commemorate and honor the heroic accomplishments of the late great Cesar Chavez not only for organizing the United Farm Workers ("UFW") that were subjected to almost inhuman work conditions, but most importantly for almost singlehandedly creating the legal right to collectively bargain while also simultaneously forming the UFW in the great Labor state of California. It is because of Mr. Chavez's selfless efforts that most Employees here in California,including DCRC Employees, enjoy a day off.
It is also important to take notice that while many or most of California Employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement ("CBA") and all California State Employees have a day off to commemorate the heroic accomplishments of the late great Cesar Chavez most employees in California do not have a day off from their employment. The majority of employees employed here in California are not covered by a CBA including far too many agricultural workers and home health care workers also (unfairly) excluded from the protections of the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA").
Although the phrase is often stated as a trite, overstated phrase to inspire (originally coined to motivate and strengthen the resolve of agricultural workers subjected to almost unimaginable working conditions) workers, the phrase "Si Se Puede", as translated by a non Spanish speaker, is best understood in the proper context of the Labor Organizing Campaign he galvanized as a response to the statement, "even if you can organize agricultural workers in the fields, agricultural workers are not afforded the [fundamental fairness & dignity that are extended to virtually all other workers employed in the United States in accordance with the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA")]". In summary, the late, great Cesar Chavez assertively, without hesitation, galvanized his many loyal, courageous supporters, including his Legal Counsel, Mr. Rees Lloyd., ESQ., to form the California Agricultural Workers Board legislatively while simultaneously organizing agricultural workers that were later protected by the numerous Collective Bargaining Agreements that he fiercely facilitated as as the Chief Labor Negotiator for the UFW.
It is such an honor made possible because of the tireless and selfless efforts of the great late Cesar Chavez that the Association of Professional Disabled Service Employees ("APDSE") was able to preserve Cesar Chavez Day as a day off for all CBUE Employees Employed by DCRC because the former Chief Executive Officer & Chief Labor Negotiator acting as ab agent for DCRC had proposed rescinding Cesar Chavez Day as a holiday for the benefit of all employees employed by DCRC. The California Agricultural and Labor Relations Act signed by the former outgoing Governor, Jerry Brown in 1975.
Next time, when any person in any official capacity (Managers, Medical Doctors, Property Owners, Government Officals, or Elected Officals) assert that anything is impossible, stand strong, and fiercely respond, "Si Se Puede".
In Solidarity, With Much respect,
Jeff Michaelson
APDSE Board President/ Chief Negotiator
Comments