The unCOMMON Salon Series 

Thursday, February 21st at 6:00 PM | Bobst Library, 7th Floor, Avery Fisher Center, Room 745

Soon after the first Mexican guest workers started arriving to the US through the Bracero Program, they challenged policy restrictions that prohibited them from organizing unions. As one of the first organizations created to represent these men, “La Alianza de Braceros,” sought to improve the conditions of braceros in both the US and Mexico. This talk explores Alianza’s transnational strategies and the organization’s relationship with the prominent labor activist, Ernesto Galarza. Galarza worked with Alianza to incorporate guest workers into his American unionizing efforts. However, after he grew frustrated with the Mexican government’s repressive treatment of Alianza, he changed his tactics from unionizing braceros to working to end the Bracero Program itself. The subsequent demise of Alianza solidified the growing divide between Mexican and American labor in US agricultural fields.

Light refreshments will be served.  All are welcome.