We celebrate the rich history, culture and influence of Hispanics and Latinx in the United States during Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, and send abrazos to all our IATSE kin of Hispanic and Latinx descent!

September 15th was chosen as the annual start to Hispanic Heritage Month as it is the anniversary of the 1821 independence of five Hispanic countries; Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. México and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18th, respectively. Día de la Raza falls on October 12th.

Latinx labor leaders like Dolores Huerta, César Chávez, Luisa Moreno, and Emma Tenayuca actively promoted solidarity with all workers, right from the beginnings of the labor movement in the United States. They created their own labor organizations to fight for workers rights, such as the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association, the United Farm Workers of America, and the National Congress of Spanish-Speaking Peoples, and they earned nicknames like ‘La Pasionara’ and Huelga (Strike in Spanish) for their passionate, ceaseless advocacy.

 These labor organizations and unions led strikes and boycotts with Japanese and Filipino field workers, solicited support from organizations like the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and the Congress of Racial Equality, and built a coordinated network of Civil Rights leaders and labor leaders that forced profound changes upon discriminatory and abusive employers. These fights continue today, with many Latinx agricultural and migrant workers still working under systemic abusive and illegal work and hiring practices.

IATSE’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee sends solidarity and gratitude to our Hispanic and Latinx members and colleagues!

Sí, se puede! Solidaridad Pa’ Siempre! La Causa!