Mensalvas, Chris D., -1977

Chris Delarna Mensalvas (1909-1978) immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 1927. He became an important figure in the Filipino labor movements of the 1940s and '50s, organizing unions and initiating strikes for reasonable working conditions and fair wages for farm and cannery workers. Mensalvas was president of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union (ILWU) Local 37 in Seattle -- the Filipino Alaska cannery workers union. He died in 1978.

From the description of Chris D. Mensalvas photograph collection, 1937-1956 [graphic]. 1937-1956. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 60408043

Between 1910 and 1930, a wave of Filipino immigrants came to the United States. Instead of better opportunities, many encountered discrimination, poor living conditions, and oppressive labor practices. Chris Delarna Mensalvas (1909-1978) immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 1927. He became an important figure in the Filipino labor movements of the 1940s and '50s, organizing unions and initiating strikes for just working conditions and fair wages for farm and cannery workers.

Between the years 1949 and 1959, Mensalvas was president of the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) Local 37 in Seattle - the Filipino Alaska cannery workers union. He was publicity director of the local from 1948 to 1949, when it was Local 7 of the Cannery Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union. Mensalvas actively opposed the deportation of Filipinos under the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952. The noted Filipino author and activist Carlos Bulosan and fellow activist Philip Vera Cruz were among his friends. He was an inspiration for later Filipino activists Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes, who consulted him about his labor organizing experiences. Mensalvas died in 1978.

From the guide to the Chris D. Mensalvas Photograph Collection, 1937-1956, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

Labor organization official of Seattle, Washington.

Between 1910 and 1930, the United States received an influx of Filipino immigrants seeking a better opportunities in work and life. Chris Delarna Mensalvas, born June 24th 1909 in San Manuel, Philippines, was one of these immigrants coming to the United States in 1927. He, along with his fellow Filipino immigrants encountered discrimination, poor living conditions, and oppressive labor practices. Mensalvas went on to become an important figure in the Filipino labor movements of the 1940s and '50s, organizing unions and initiating strikes for just working conditions and fair wages for farm and cannery workers in California and Alaska. Between the years 1949 and 1959, Mensalvas was president of the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) Local 37 in Seattle - the Filipino Alaska cannery workers union. He was publicity director of the local from 1948 to 1949, when it was Local 7 of the Cannery Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union. Mensalvas actively opposed the deportation of Filipinos under the McCarran-Walter Act of 1952. The noted Filipino author and activist Carlos Bulosan and fellow activist Philip Vera Cruz were among his friends. He was an inspiration for later Filipino activists Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes, who consulted him about his labor organizing experiences. Mensalvas died on April 11, 1978.

From the guide to the Chris D. Mensalvas papers, 1935-1974, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)