◆ SpookStack

duly 14, 1967 ACTIVITIES CONCERNING FARM WORKERS STRIKE RIO GRANDE CITY, TEXAS * A source vho has furnished reliable information in the past has advised that on September 8, 1965, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO, declared a strike agzinst grape grovers of Tulare and Kern Counties, California. On September 19, 1965, the Rational Fara Workers Association joined the strike. This action brought Mexican and Puerto Rican farm workers into the labor dispute. The purpose of the strike was to demand an increase in wages for the grape pickers. (100-444762-72) In response to an allegation that warious officials of the National Farm Workers Assbciation in the Delano, California, area had subversive backgrounds, inquiries were made by this Bureau which disclosed that while the union was not Communist controlled, Communist Party members or +. sympathizers had furnished support to certain activities ~ concerning the strike against grape growers in California. (100=444762-48, 32) During May and June of 1966, Eugene Nelson of the National Farm Workers Association was organizing farm workers in the Rio Grande City, Texas, area. Nelson reportedly had previously been active in organizing grape Pickers in Delano, California. During the first few days of organizing activity in Rio Grande City, Nelson was assisted by Charles McKinley Smith. Smith is a resi EJM:WCD:wj aA? SounE ee yy 076 3. ae NOTE: See Rosen to DeLoach Mefisuns dated 7/10/67, captioned, “Activities Concerning Farm Workers Strike, Rio Grande City, Texas, ; a wax noow CJ] tevetyee unit nae erm tied page FEF EJM:iwjc. Lt Note contim: joes Jee