The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1947-11-20
Mexican Strikebreakers Withdrawn BY
Govt Agency From California Farms

Memphis, Tenn. ILNS) - The
| 800 farm workers striking against
the $4,000 acre industrialized Di
Giorgio Farms Corporation near
Bakersfield, Kern County, Califor-
MIA have made a big gain in their
fight for justice.
Fl. l.. Mitchell, president of the
National Farm Labor Union, AFL,
announced receipt of a message re-
porting that the U. S. Department
of Agriculture had withdrawn 1870
Mexican nationals who, the union
charged, had been forced by the
government agency to work as
strikebreakers for the last 40 days.
This action was taken by the De-
partment Of Agriculture over the
demands Of the Associated Farmers
of California, a vigilante organiza-
tion representing the large indus
trialized farming interests in that
state. Mitchell said that the de-
partment acted after strong pro-
tests had been made by officials of
the American Federation of Labor
to both the department and Secre-
tary of State Marshall. Liberal or
ganizations and individuals thru
out the country had also added
their protest to those of Labor.
cA..I.o CHI
The 1,500 employees of the Di
Giorgio Farms Corporation have
held their ranks solidly since Oct.
l, and maintained what is probably
the longest picket line in the world.
The Di Giorgio Farms cover 18
square miles. The Di Giorgio Cor
poration has holdings throughout
the United States and Central Am
erica and is reputed to be the larg
est fruit producing and processing
corporation in the world.
The workers who are on strike
are permanent employees who work
the year round on the Di Giorgio
Farms. Nearly all are originally
from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, who
went West in the 30's.
Contrary to the usual practices
in agricultural strikes, there has
been no violence against the strik-
ers. Local law enforcement officials
have been cooperative as whole
The county sheriff made the
abandoned Jail at Arvin available
as strike headquarters. Organized
labor in the city of Bakersfield has
cooperated 100 per cent with the
striking farm workers. The AFL
Kern County labor Council is hand
ling all finances raised to feed and
pay rent for the families of the
men and women on strike. The
members of the Railway Brother
hoods have refused to move trains
through the track serving the cor
poration farm. The local Teamsters
Union is also involved in that 1913
Of the strikers are truck drivers
and helpers. Members of the Win
cry Workers Union which has a
contract of years duration, have
also refused to cross the picket
ines.
Aid For Strikers Needed
The morale of the strikers re-
mains high. Aside from the Mexi
,an nationals who were forced by
he government to act as strike
breakers, only a few employees of
he corporation farm are scabbing.
These are mostly supervisory en-
,loyees, their wives and relatives.
Financial support for the strik-
ng farm workers has come from
lumber of AFL international
lnions, California State Federation
# Labor, central labor bodies, and
ocal unions throughout the state
md nation, but more funds are
leeded. The families of men and
on strike need food and
money with which to pay house
ent. The children will have a
|reary Christmas if the strike goes