Filipino forum. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1928-196?, 1950-07-01
EILIpINOS ON THE LABOR FRONT


when the Alaska fish cannery
workers were organized into a
union in 1888. Outstanding among
Filipino labor leaders in the early
3O's was the late Virgil Duyungan,
who was organizer and first presl-
dent of the Cannery Workers and
Farm Laborers' Union, affiliated
to the American Federation OF
Labor as Local 1927.
Duyungan, Martyr to Labor
Mr.. Duyungan could well be
termed a martyr to the cause OF
labor, for his up-to-noW unsolVed
murder is believed in many quar-
tiers as having been perpetrated by
those who were opposed to the
movement to organize the cannery
workers and to put away for good
the contract system under which
thousands of eannery workers were
virtual slaves in modern age.
Aurelio A. Simon, secretary OF
the first cannery workers union,
was another victim of the anti
labor group. He met his death at
the same time and place as
Duyungan.
Union Succeeds
But their death famed the fire
Just started into a confiagration
that finally succeeded in putting
out of the picture the contractors
and sub-contractors who preyed
upon the hard-earned dollars of
the cannery workers.
The union founded by Duyungan
became a force of no mean magni-
tude that compelled even the Alas
ka salmon industry to drop on its
knee and accept terms proposed for
the welfare of the common worker.
The Cannery Workers and Farm
Laborers' Union, Local 1927, A.
F. of L., in no time became "the
union" of cannery workers in the
Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
SWITCH 10 C.A.Os
By 1888 circumstances were be-
coming so complex that switch
to the new CLIO. COMMITTEE for
Industrial Organizations) was eff
fected by the union leaders with
the consent of the rank and file.
Those who did not wish to move
into the CLIO. fold remained under
the American Federation of Labor
banner, under the name of Alaska
Fish Cannery Workers Union of
the Pacific.
Local 1927, A. F. of L., became
Local 7, UCAPAWA-C.LO. (UCA
PAWA-United Cannery, Agricul-
tural, Packing and Allied Workers
of America = later changed its
name to FTA-Food, Tobacco, and
Agricultural Workers of America).
Local 7, FTA-CLO., grew fast and
furiously. 1t was militant, pro-
gressive, and fearless.
Outstanding Labor Leaders
For 10 years Local 7 produced
such great labor leaders as Vincent
O. Navea, who occupied the posi-
lions of President and Business
Agent for many terms; Trinidad
A Rojo, who has had the longest
term Of office as president; Pru-
dencio P. Mort, who also served
as secretary and president for sew
eral terms; Ernesto Mangaoang, the
fighting business agent from Port
land; Chris Mensalvas, top publici-
ty director; Cornelio N. Briones,
who served best as business agent
with the strategy of a politician;
c. L. (Joe) Camarillo, who is best
remembered as a dispatcher; Vim
cent Pilien, who succeeded CANA
rillo; and others too many to
mention.
SeafOod Workers Union
In 1947, after a series of Incl
dents which did not at all please
the FTA-CIO, the whole admins
tration was suspended from Office
and the union was placed under
an administrative committee. Union
leaders and officers who clashed
with the MEDITERRANEAN in principle
and on issues walked out of Local z
and formed an indppendent union