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A 1980 summary of FWOC activities leading up to the CFU's founding convention. Also, staff hiring requirements.

Article titled 'Farmworkers of BC' describes the exploitation of farmworkers by the labour contractors, who mainly come from the Indo-Canadian Punjabi community like the workers themselves. It also describes the attitude of the government towards these workers. The article introduces and praises the Farm Workers Organizing Committee, which was formed two months before the article was written. The article is written by the editor of the Watno Dur magazine Sadhu Binning.

One of the first internal CFU reports reviewing the FWOC and events leading up to the founding of the CFU organizing drives; certifications at Jensen Mushroom Farm, Country Farm Natural Foods Ltd and Bell Farms Ltd; Opposing forces, such as CPC (ML) and their front groups 'East Indian Defense Committee' and 'Farm Workers Defense Committee'; Government Lobby campaigns; Administration and Resources; Conclusions.

The Farmworker was first published in 1979 by the Farmworkers Organizing Committee, which later became the Canadian Farmworkers' Union (CFU). This newspaper had Punjabi content on one side and English on the other, and documented early victories and struggles of farmworkers in British Columbia, including the Fraser Valley and areas near Burnaby.

Monthly newspaper of Indian People's Association in North America (IPANA).

FWOC membership fee was $2 and in one year achieved 700 members. "The main objective for the FWOC was to expose the conditions of farmwork for seasonal workers in the Fraser Valley. The approach was to work with farmworkers, to lobby the government and to undertake public education." Membership fee was $2 and in one year achieved 700 members.

Farm Workers Organizing Committee mobilizes its first direct action picket line with nearly 200 farmworkers at Mukhtiar Growers Ltd, Clearbrook, BC. The workers had not been paid their back wages for six weeks. "Contacted by some farmworkers who convinced others to stay out and with the support of FWOC members, Mukhtiar paid $80,000 in wages on the spot," after two hours of negotiations. Workers went back to work after they received their cheques. The FWOC's first major victory was reported…

Canadian Farmworkers Union was founded in New Westminster, British Columbia. "This is the first union in Canada's history formed by farmworkers to improve the working conditions in the agricultural industry. The Union's formation was the result of one year of intensive work by the Farmworkers Organizing Committee (FWOC) in the Fraser Valley."

In 1978, the Sidhu family worked a full season at a farm owned by Doug McKim in Richmond. However, Mr. McKim did not pay the full wages he owed to the family. He owed the family approximately $25,000.00. The FWOC represented the Sidhu family. The FWOC lawyers, represented the Sidhu family, and took this case all the way to the BC Supreme Court. Although the FWOC won the case, the Court ordered Mr. McKim to pay only $14,000.00 to the workers.

FWOC's second public meeting in Mission, BC.

FWOC's second public meeting in Mission, BC.

FWOC's mobilizes its first direct action picket line with nearly 200 farmworkers at Mukhtiar Growers Ltd in Clearbrook, BC. Raj Chouhan, President FWOC, on far right. The workers had not been paid their back wages for six weeks. Mukhtiar paid $80,000 in wages on the spot, after two hours of negotiations. Workers went back to work after they received their cheques. The FWOC's first major victory was reported in the local mainstream press and TV.

This photo appeared in the Pacific Tribune newspaper dated April 25, 1980.

FWOC's first summary brief outlining farmworkers unjust working and living conditions and their exclusion from employment standards legislation. Highlights proposed changes to federal, provincial and municipal laws affecting farm workers. Includes footnote citations and bibliography. Appendix; California Pesticide law; and, a brief on BC's wrongful dismissal law of unorganized workers. Also includes the April 10, 1975 final Report of the Standing Committee of BC Legislative Assembly on…

Announces the founding of the Canadian Farmworkers Union. The first Canadian trade union exclusively for farm workers.