In 1938, Emma Tenayuca helped bring Texas businesses to bargaining table
Patrick Danner, Staff writer
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Emma Tenayuca led the pecan sheller’ strikeFROM LAS TEJANAS: 300 YEARS OF HShow MoreShow Less
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Emma Tenayuca led the Pecan-Shellers Strike of 1938 against wage cuts.Courtesy UTSA Special Collection / Courtesy UTSA Special CollectionShow MoreShow Less
San Antonio has never been known as a strong union town, but it was the site of a major uprising by laborers in 1938. The 37-day pecan shellers strike involved as many as 6,000 workers, largely Hispanic, and is regarded as the first labor victory for Tejanos and Mexicans in U.S. history.