In the heart of California's Salinas Valley, farmworkers once toiled with a tool called "El Cortito. " This short-handled hoe forced them to bend over for hours, leading to severe back pain and lifelong injuries. The tool was not about getting more work done. It was about keeping workers under constant watch, a way to control them. Workers called it "the devil's arm. " They knew it was bad for their bodies, but their complaints fell on deaf ears for years.

In 1969, things started to change. A group of workers in Soledad reached out to a young lawyer, Maurice "Mo" Jourdane. They wanted help to stop using El Cortito. Cesar Chavez, a well-known labor leader, also pushed Jourdane to take the case. Chavez himself suffered from back pain, which he blamed on the tool. Jourdane was not sure if the courts would ban the tool. Its use went back to the Great Depression. But after trying the tool himself, he felt the pain and knew he had to act.

The legal fight was long and tough. First, they went to the California Industrial Safety Board. Doctors testified about the harm El Cortito caused. But the board, appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan, rejected their petition. The board said the tool was not unsafe and replacing it would cost too much. The farmworkers and their lawyers did not give up. They took the fight to the California Supreme Court. They had to prove that El Cortito was dangerous and that there were better tools, like long-handled hoes. Sebastian Carmona, one of the workers, became the main plaintiff. Other brave farmworkers joined him.

The battle ended on April 7, 1975. The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of the farmworkers. The court said the Industrial Safety Board had been too strict in its rules. A new governor, Jerry Brown, had just taken office. The board issued a new rule banning El Cortito. This victory was more than just about a tool. It showed that the courts could help when lawmakers and regulators would not. It was a big step forward for farmworker rights. For the lawyers, it was a turning point in their fight for justice.

The story of El Cortito is a reminder of what can happen when workers, lawyers, and leaders come together. It shows that even when things seem hopeless, persistence can lead to change. It also highlights the importance of listening to workers' voices. Their experiences and struggles should not be ignored. The fight against El Cortito is a testament to the power of unity and the pursuit of justice.

FARMWORKER RIGHTS MOVEMENT

The Tool That Bent Workers' Backs

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