The Watsonville Canning Strike – Peter Shapiro

he Watsonville Canning Strike – Lessons for Us All

A presentation by Peter Shapiro, labor activist and author of the book “Song of the Stubborn One Thousand.” Followed by a discussion.

Thirty years ago, Watsonville, California was the “frozen food capital of the world.” In September 1985, 1000 mostly Mexican women workers at the town’s largest plant were forced out on strike when the owner tried to bust their union. Few, if any, of the women had any strike experience. Their local union was barely functioning. But they organized themselves, held out for 18 months, forced the plant owner into bankruptcy, and won a contract from the new owner after a five day wildcat strike.