When you think of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, you probably think of Rosa Parks. When you think of the Delano grape strike and boycott one name usually comes to mind.
On Monday, March 31, 2025, communities across the country will commemorate the life, legacy, and enduring contributions of César Chávez to the worker protection movement. His name holds a key place in the American Civil Rights Movement—a reminder of the ongoing fight for liberty, justice, and dignity for all workers.
But this day isn’t just about what Chávez accomplished alone. It’s about what he helped achieve in collaboration with others. Working alongside Dolores Huerta, they popularized the iconic slogan, “Sí, se puede”— “Yes, we can,” a rallying cry that fueled their shared mission. He also partnered with Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong, whose call for a workers’ strike in the grape fields of Delano, California, sparked the movement that would later unite thousands. Their success was rooted in solidarity, with a diverse coalition of farm workers, advocates, and community members joining forces to fight for fair wages and safe working conditions. Their impact reached far beyond Delano, rippling all the way to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
At its core, Chávez’s message was simple: Honest work, Fair pay. It’s a message that continues to resonate and one that DCBA carries forward today. From preventing financial fraud and scams to financial empowerment, traces of Chávez’s legacy can be found in every DCBA program. This is especially true of the Office of Labor Equity, home to LA County’s wage and worker protection initiatives.
At the Office of Labor Equity, counselors support workers by answering questions, investigating potential wage theft, and addressing labor exploitation. They make sure that LA County remains a place where anyone that works hard earns what they deserve.
Whether you’re job-hunting, starting a new position, or already in the workforce, resources are available to help you become a more informed and empowered worker. Visit workers.lacounty.gov or call (800) 593-8222 to explore your options.
César Chávez may be the name we honor on this day, but like other civil rights leaders, he was part of something much larger. He was a mediator, an organizer, and a meeting point for countless voices pushing for progress. Today, we honor his courage—and the courage of all who continue the fight for fair pay and honest, dignified work.
Beyond wage and worker protections, DCBA also offers a range of resources to help protect and uplift LA County residents, from financial fraud prevention to financial empowerment and more. Visit dcba.lacounty.gov to learn more.
