Hispanic and Latinx Communities Fight for Labor Rights

National Hispanic* or Latinx Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15, and celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of folks whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. This month, in combination with Labor Day, we’d like to specifically honor the deep influences and radical leadership that Latinx communities had and continue to have on U.S. labor movements, rights and industries.  

Labor Day celebrates the contributions of trade and labor unions in the U.S., while recognizing the historical and current mistreatment of workers. Since the early 1900s, Latinxs and Latinx-Americans have played a critical role in the fight for workers’ rights and have led movements that have created safer workplaces in the U.S. We hope this newsletter showcases the important intersections of labor, race and immigration status and highlights the impactful achievements and unique experiences of Latinx people and communities.  

*As with many blanket pan-ethnic terms, we acknowledge that the word “Hispanic” fails to recognize individualized, complex histories and erases indigenous, Afro-Latino and pre-colonial histories, cultures and civilizations. For this reason, some Latinx folks might choose to identify with their specific ethnic group (e.g. Mexican, Mexican-American), Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x/e, Afro-Latino or another variation of these identities. 

How can you celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Learn more about Latinx/Chicano Labor and Union Movements 

• American Latino Theme Study: Labor (National Park Service) 
• “Casa Latina staff among wave of non-profits to unionize” (The Stand) 
• The Fields of Immokalee: Swing State Florida documentary (YouTube) 
• “The Pandemic Shows Latino Workers the Need for Union Organizing” (Latino Rebels) 
• “Hispanic Society Union Ratifies First Contract, Ending Eight Week Strike” (ARTnews) 
• More Than Solidarity: How Labor Unions Preserved Latino Jobs Report (UCLA) 
• Chicano/Latino Movements History Geography (University of Washington)

Support Latinx and Latinx-Led Labor Movements



• Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: LCLAA was born out of the need to educate, organize and mobilize Latino/as in the labor movement and has expanded its influence to organize Latino/as in an effort to impact workers’ rights and their influence in the political process 
• United Farm Workers: The United Farm Workers (UFW) of America is the nation’s first enduring and largest farm workers’ union. UFW contract agreements protect thousands of vegetable, berry, winery, tomato, and dairy workers in California, Oregon, and Washington state. 
• Justice for Janitors: Justice for Janitors is America’s largest union of property services workers and represents 150,000 union janitors. Their goal is to raise industry standards by fighting for fair pay, healthcare, respect, and the freedom to join a union. 
• Coalition of Immokalee Workers: A worker-based human rights organization internationally recognized for its achievements in fighting human trafficking and gender-based violence at work. 

What else is happening this month?

Mental Health Resources and Events