The California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, signed in June 1975, was a historic measure that gave farmworkers the right to protected union activity and set up a mechanism for elections in the fields. During the first five months, almost 50,000 workers voted in 423 elections. The demands of organizing, negotiating, and administering contracts overwhelmed the union, operated by its largely volunteer staff. Determined to preserve his vision of a movement, Chavez focused on building a community at La Paz – even at the expense of solidifying his gains and expanding the union.
