The U.S. Department of Labor recently inducted three influential Filipino labor leaders—Larry Dulay Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, and Peter Gines Velasco—into its Hall of Honor. These individuals were pivotal figures in the 1965 Delano Grape Strike in California, a landmark labor movement that fought for higher wages and better working conditions for farmworkers.
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su emphasized their profound impact on the labor movement and recognized their role in shaping American history during a ceremony held on Wednesday.
Itliong, Vera Cruz, and Velasco were instrumental in organizing the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) in 1959 at the Filipino Hall in Delano, California.
Their leadership culminated in the Delano Grape Strike of 1965, where over 800 Filipino grape field workers walked out of ten vineyards, challenging exploitative practices. The strike evolved into a broader boycott of California’s grape industry, gaining national attention for farmworker rights.
Larry Dulay Itliong
The strike highlighted the harsh realities faced by farmworkers, including low wages, poor working conditions, and systemic prejudice. Julie Su commended the three leaders for their courage and resilience in rallying workers to demand justice and fair treatment. Their efforts not only improved conditions for farmworkers but also set a precedent for grassroots labor activism across the country.
During the Hall of Honor ceremony, a musical tribute from “Larry the Musical,” based on Itliong’s life, added a creative dimension to the commemoration. Acting Secretary Su also presented medals to the families of Itliong, Vera Cruz, and Velasco. She praised their efforts, remarking that they exemplify the immigrant contributions that enrich America and reaffirmed that justice is won through determination and bravery.
The legacies of the three leaders extend beyond the Delano Grape Strike. Larry Itliong later co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, where he championed the rights of farm and cannery workers, immigrants, and Asian Americans until his death in 1977.
Philip Vera Cruz served as UFW’s second vice president for 12 years and spearheaded projects like a retirement village for aging Filipino farmworkers. Peter Velasco played a crucial role in uniting Filipino and Latino workers, ensuring the success of the strike. Their contributions continue to inspire labor movements and immigrant communities today.
