Description
Book SynopsisOn April 10, 1966, a crowd of 10,000 farm workers and supporters gathered at the California state capitol to celebrate victory in one of the most significant strikes in American history--one that made Cesar Chavez famous as leader of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). In Why David Sometimes Wins, Marshall Ganz tells the story of the UFW''s ground-breaking victory, drawing out larger lessons from this dramatic tale. A longtime leader in the movement and current lecturer in public policy at Harvard, he offers unique insight. Since the 1900s, large-scale agricultural enterprises had relied on migrant labor--a cheap, unorganized, and powerless workforce. In 1965, after successive waves of attempts at organizing this large and growing population, the AFL-CIO, the Teamsters, and the three-year-old NFWA all found themselves on the ground, recruiting members. That year, some 800 Filipino grape workers began a strike, under the aegis of the
Trade ReviewThis throughly documented account is support by insights and evidence from Marshall's personal experience, and many will read it as much for its exciting story of the farm workers' struggle as for its contribution to the theory of social movements.... Recommended. * Social & Behaviorial Science *
In Why David Sometimes Wins, Ganz demonstrates his own marvelous story telling skill in his narration of the farm workers' movement in America... It's about organizing and tactics that work. Ganz describes them in a unique and interesting manner from his own vantage point within the farm workers' movement. WHy David Sometimes Wins is a valuable resource for teachers and students of community organizing, labor history and the dynamics of social change. * Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare *
A brilliant new book. * The Nation *
Why David Sometimes Wins is an exceptional book that will be of widespread interest to scholars and activists alike. * American Journal of Sociology *
This book is a must read for organizers. The analysis of how a small and poor, but motivated, group of workers triggered a social movement provides invaluable lessons on what to do and not do as we struggle with the challenges of the 21st century. * Andy Stern, President, Service Employees International Union *
Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Introduction: How David Beat Goliath ; 2. Beginnings: Immigrants, Radicals, and the AFL (1900-1959) ; 3. New Opportunities, New Initiatives: (1959-1962) ; 4. A Storm Gathers: Two Responses (1963-1965) ; 5. The Great Delano Grape Strike (1965-1966) ; 6. Meeting the Counter-Attack (1966) ; 7. Launching a New Union (1966-1967) ; Epilogue ; Appendix ; Notes ; References ; Index
