California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975

California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 (CALRA), also known as Assembly Bill 915, is a landmark legislation passed in the state of California that established the right of agricultural workers to organize and bargain collectively with their employers. The act was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on June 5, 1975, marking a significant victory for farm workers' rights in the United States.

Background

Prior to the enactment of CALRA, agricultural workers in the United States, and particularly in California, faced significant challenges in securing labor rights and protections. Unlike industrial workers, who had been granted the right to collective bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, agricultural workers were excluded from these protections. This exclusion left them vulnerable to exploitation, low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of job security.

The push for agricultural labor reform in California was largely led by the United Farm Workers (UFW), a labor union founded by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and others. The UFW organized strikes, boycotts, and other actions to advocate for the rights of farm workers, drawing national attention to their plight.

Provisions

The California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975 provided several key protections for farm workers, including:

• The right to organize and join labor unions without fear of retaliation.
• The right to collective bargaining with employers over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
• The establishment of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB), a state agency charged with overseeing the implementation of the act, including the resolution of labor disputes and the enforcement of labor rights for agricultural workers.

Impact

The passage of CALRA marked a significant advancement in labor rights for agricultural workers in California. It led to improvements in wages, working conditions, and job security for many farm workers. Additionally, the act served as a model for other states and contributed to the broader movement for labor rights and social justice in the United States.

However, the implementation of CALRA has faced challenges, including resistance from some employers and ongoing disputes between labor and management. Despite these challenges, the act remains a critical piece of legislation in the fight for agricultural workers' rights.

See Also

• Labor rights
• United Farm Workers
• Cesar Chavez
• Dolores Huerta
• National Labor Relations Act