July to September, 1957, 1957

The dispute with UPWA over Louisiana sugar workers continued through the summer; see especially Mitchell to William Schnitzler, with attached correspondence relating to the dispute (July 10) and the frequent exchanges of letters between Mitchell and Galarza during September on UPWA and on California organizing plans in general. In his effort to publicize the plight of domestic farm workers under the bracero system, Galarza focused on a group of 100 families at a Yuba City government camp desperately in need of relief. There are several items relating to the Yuba City poverty beginning on August 8 and continuing to the end of the month; see also Galarza's mimeographed report on conditions in Sutter County (Sept 16). The papers include the transcripts of hearings held by the House Judiciary Committee during May on the importation of Japanese farm workers in to the United States (Aug 27, Sept 11); among the witnesses are C.B. Rhodes, Manager of the North California Farm Labor Association, and Edward F. Hayes, Chief of the US Farm Placement Service. The union renewed its organizing efforts among New Jersey chicken farmers and Louisiana strawberry growers. On the chicken farmers, see Mitchell to his brother "Little Boy", giving him instructions on how to set up the American Poultry Farmers Co-operative Association (July 5); on the NAWU's work with strawberry farmers, see Mitchell to Robert Senser, Associate Editor of Work (July 29).