IBEW 1245 Organizing Steward Rodrigo Flores at the Cesar Chavez march in Delano, CA 2025
From Delano to Sacramento to Reno, IBEW 1245 members participated in marches and celebratory dinners marking the life and legacy of civil rights and labor leader Cesar Chavez on what would have been his ninety-eighth birthday.
Chavez, the co-founder of the United Farmworkers Union, was instrumental in exposing the abysmal working conditions suffered by farmworkers and built a movement that led to major gains for farmworkers. One of the greatest accomplishments was the successful passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA), enacted in 1975. The landmark legislation established the right to collective bargaining for farmworkers in California, a first in U.S. history. It was also a training ground for a generation of committed labor organizers, including former IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell and the late Fred Ross Jr.
L-R: Organizing Steward Prospects Ashley Spinetti & Deandre Thomas; Organizing Stewards Gabriella Butler, Tim Neal, Kayela Jones
Thousands gathered in Delano – long viewed as the cradle of the farmworker movement. A central theme of the day was the assault on unions and immigrants, especially immigrant workers.
IBEW 1245 member and Organizing Steward Lead Rodrigo Flores represented 1245 and the North Valley Labor Federation. Speaking to the crowd, Flores said, “I’m here today because I believe it’s important to support immigrant workers. At the end of the day we are all workers trying to build better lives for our families. Right now immigrant workers are being unfairly criticized by our government. Hard-working, law-abiding families just like mine are simply trying to make a better future. It’s not right to bash the very people who are feeding our country and doing some of the hardest jobs out there,” said Flores.
Organizing Stewards Kayela Jones and Gabriella Butler leading the march
In Sacramento, Organizing Stewards led the 23rd annual Cesar Chavez march and manned a booth. They engaged young and old alike, sharing the mission of the Union and information about how to join, including our scholarship programs.
Organizing Steward Lead Alvin Dayoan reported, “It was an incredible event, and we were delighted to see new members participating in our labor celebrations.”
In Reno, Business Representative Marty Kumle was joined by active and retired 1245 members at a dinner sponsored by the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council.
Thanks to all who represented!