JUNIOR on or off campus interested in being on Senior Advisory Council

Cesar Chavez, United Farmworkers Union (UFW) president, was welcomed with a standing ovation in a half-filled Stepan Center last night. At the outset of his talk, Chavez said Notre Dame’s Thursday referendum, is a great opportunity for members of the University community “ to place themselves on the side of social justice through a simple vote. " The referendum, if passed, will boycott food p r o d u c t s of the Libby, Campbell and MacNeil companies in campus dining halls, vending machines and the Huddle. Chavez said that he has been working for the farmworkers’ cause since the early 60 s. His first objective was to organize the farmworkers into a union and have that union recognized. The experts gave Chavez a one out of 1000 chance for succeeding in developing such a union. However, in 1969, Chavez proved the experts wrong when the UFW threw a boycott against Gallo wine. Chavez referred to the American public as “ the court of last resort. ’ ’ The American public did not let Chavez down, as 11,000,000 individuals participated in the Gallo wine boycott of the late 60’s. Another successful boycott was levied against the lettuce industry in California. In 1976, the UFW signed a three year contract with that industry. Chavez explained that, according to the contract, the UrW would not boycott or strike against the lettuce industry for those three years. The contract expired in January of this year. “ Our first objective, which was recognition, had been accomplished. However, problems still plagued the workers,” Chavez stated, adding, “ In eight and a half years the workers’ salary had only increased by 13 cents per hour.” According to Chavez, the lettuce industry management cannot understand why the workers want to discuss wages. Its reaction to the migrant farmers after the contract expired was, ‘The Mexicans don’t know any better. They’re biting the hand that is feeding them,” Chavez stated. Because of the industry’s unwillingness to discuss wage increases, UFW is once again boycotting Iceberg lettuce. Chavez discussed the manner in which strikes and boycotts generally are conducted and also explained the violent treatment that the mi­ grants receive. He reported that four migrants have been killed since the UFW’s formation. The most recent incident was the Rufino Contreras killing which occurred earlier this year. According to Chavez, all of the killings essentially have been murders. However, in each case, the people responsible for the deaths have been released. “The judge released the three men who killed Contreras Decause of lack of evidence,!’ Chavez noted. The audience was quiet throughout most of Chavez’s talk. However, Chavez’s comment that it is the migrant farmers who provide us with the food for our meals three times a day elicited applause. “The ironic part is that these people get food for others, but they don’t have enough food for themselves,” Chavez empha­ sized. He told the audience that they could help the migrant farmers by boycotting United Brands’ Chiquita bananas, Iceberg lettuce, and Libby, Campbell and MacNeil products. “We also need financial and moral help and prayers. We believe strongly in prayers,” he