“Among the notable figures of the Manong generation were Philip Vera Cruz, Pete Velasco, Larry Itliong and Andy Imutan (who recently passed away and will forever be remembered for his leadership in the labor movement). What most people do not know is that the idea for the Delano grape first came from a group of Filipino farmworkers, led primarily by Larry Itliong, head of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (which some say was the most organized and effective farm labor union at that time). Filipino farmworkers had had enough of the grueling work conditions, long hours and extremely low pay (The idea to organize a strike finally emerged and they reached out to Cesar Chavez and the rest of the National Farmworkers Association They refused to join them at first, but Chavez and the rest of the NFWA quickly realized that that the Filipinos were fighting for the same rights the Mexicans valued and that strength in numbers was crucial to victory. The collaboration of Filipino and Mexican workers culminated in the formation of United Farmworkers of America and it was due to this union that ultimately led to their overall success in winning fare wages, medical benefits and safer working conditions.”

To read the rest, visit:
http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/04/01/remembering-the-unsung-heroes-of-the-labor-movement/