Origins of the Coachella Valley Chapter
One of the catalysts that led to the creation of the CWA was the accounts of violent acts, intimidation and vandalism toward Coachella Vineyard laborers, allegedly committed by the United Farm Workers Organization Committee (UFWOC) between the mid-to late 1960s. Coachella Valley laborers worked for Coachella Valley farmers as laborers independent of union organizations. The CWA documented accounts of UFWOC organizers attempting to recruit Coachella Valley laborers, particularly during the summer grape season, persuading laborers to demand that their employers give them rights to unionize, This was a significant goal of the UFWOC during the labor movement of the mid-twentieth century. Additionally, Coachella Valley laborers stated that the UFWOC promised Coachella Valley laborers green cards for residency in the United States if they complied. When laborers denied interest in partaking in the UFWOC’s proposals, Coachella Valley laborers were harassed in the fields and at their homes. As a result, Coachella Valley farmers found their packing sheds burned, tractor tires slashed, and vineyards demolished, presumably by the UFWOC. When this was reported to authorities, little action was taken because allegations against the UFWOC could not be proven legally. Furthermore, when farmers and the UFWOC were discussed in news media, Coachella Valley farmers were enraged by what they characterized as misinformed media coverage of farm-labor relations as the media presented the UFWOC favorably, Cesar Chavez as a hero, and farmers in a negative light.
In response to harassment toward Coachella Valley laborers, Beverly Sfingi, a former pro-golfer and ultimately a founding member of the CWA, pioneered the Committee to Relieve Organized Pressure, commonly known as CROP, an organization comprised entirely of women from the Coachella Valley farming community. CROP members were concerned about Coachella Valley laborers’ safety and advocated for laborers to exercise free choice to join or decline union membership. Additionally, CROP members ensured laborers that working conditions would be improved in the absence of unionization. Consequently, Coachella Valley Laborers signed a petition confirming their choice not to unionize. Furthermore, CROP members demanded fairer portrayals of farmers in the media. Therefore, CROP called for a news conference to allow laborers to speak to the media, a major change from news reporters speaking directly to farmers and growers. Also, CROP enlisted clergy to intervene in communication between laborers and farmers.
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