“Like many others, our reaction is a deep concern and sadness for the victims, young women and minors at the time, to the allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez,” Christopher Valadez, president and CEO of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California, based in Salinas, CA, told The Produce News. “The United Farm Workers have a long and documented history of being a culturally insular organization, however, transparency from the union in the coming days will be imperative while taking great care to protect the alleged victims.  Without full transparency regarding these allegations, the UFW risks further diminishing their credibility as a union and their ability to advocate on behalf of union members.

 “The Grower Shipper Association of Central California works with farmers every day to ensure California’s stringent worker protection standards are followed so employees have a safe and equitable work environment," said Valadez. "To achieve that same goal, the UFW must communicate honestly and openly about Chavez and the union’s past and present culture.  The UFW owes that to the women who have suffered alleged abuses by Chavez, but also to the many who have trusted and admired Chavez and the UFW throughout the years.”

In a statement, the organization that Chavez founded in 1962 said, “The UFW has learned of deeply troubling allegations that one of the union’s co-founders, Cesar Chavez, behaved in ways that are incompatible with our organization’s values. Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing. We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations. However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose.

“The United Farm Workers will not be taking part in any Cesar Chavez Day activities. Instead, we call on our allies and supporters to take part in immigration justice events and acts of service to support farmworkers or empower vulnerable people in their own communities.

“Over the coming weeks, in partnership with experts in these kinds of processes, we are working to establish an external, confidential, independent channel for those who may have experienced harm caused by Cesar Chavez during the early days of the UFW’s history. This channel is for those who wish to share their experiences of harm, to identify their current impacts and needs, and, if desired, to participate in a collective process to develop mechanisms for repair and accountability.

“We are grateful to the support of experts who can help us seek the truth that is the first step toward healing.”

The Cesar Chavez Foundation said it was aware Chavez had been accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with women and minors during his time as president of the United Farm Workers of America.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by what we are hearing,” the foundation said in a statement.