Lauro Barajas

Lauro Barajas is the UFW’s regional director for the Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Bay area. He was born in Jalisco, Mexico and came to the U.S. at the age of 16. Upon his arrival, he began working with Montpelier Orchards, an almond company under UFW contract, in Modesto, Calif. Barajas’ first exposure to unionization came from his father, who was a big influence in his life, and his older brothers organized farm workers into the union. They also taught him the importance of community involvement and organizing. Barajas worked for Montpelier Orchards for about seven years.

He was heavily involved in community organizing with the Catholic Diocese of Stockton from 1988 through 1995, coordinating events and activities for both adults and youth. He brought together teens who lived in neighborhoods exposed to gangs, violence and drugs by creating programs for them that served as outlets for a better life.

Barajas began working for the UFW in February 1996 as part of the union’s major strawberry workers organizing campaign. He quickly became a lead organizer for the UFW in the Watsonville and Salina areas. He relocated to Oxnard in 1998 to head the strawberry campaign in Ventura County. His union organizing team won an election in 1999 at what is now Dole, one of the nation’s largest strawberry growers.

Since then he has led numerous UFW organizing campaigns across California, including boycotts, strikes and negotiations. Barajas serves as a delegate in the Monterey Central Labor Council and is often called upon to take a role in issues that affect the community.

He was elected to the UFW National Executive Board on May 20, 2016.