Farah Manufacturing Co., Inc. - The Farah strike (1972–1974) - Specimen Stock Certificate

Specimen Stock printed by American Bank Note Company. The Farah strike, which took place from 1972 to 1974, was a significant labor movement involving employees of the Farah Manufacturing Company, a clothing manufacturer based in El Paso, Texas, and New Mexico. The strike commenced at the San Antonio facility in 1972, when a group of Hispanic women, known as Chicanas, led by Sylvia M. Trevino, advocated for the establishment of a labor union to improve their working conditions. Over the course of two years, approximately 4,000 individuals participated in the strike, the majority of whom were women.

At the time, William Farah served as the CEO of the company, which predominantly employed Mexican women. Following its public offering in 1967, the company had a workforce of around 7,000 employees. By 1972, it had expanded its operations internationally, employing 9,500 individuals, thus becoming the second-largest employer in Texas. Despite the company's growth, it maintained high production expectations while offering low wages and substandard working conditions, which ultimately sparked the strike. Those who supported the strike faced penalties and the threat of job loss.

The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA) acted as the mediator during the strike, and within a month of its initiation, they organized a national boycott against Farah Manufacturing Company's products. The strike concluded in 1974 with favorable outcomes for the women workers. As a result of their efforts, many women became actively engaged in political organizations advocating for women's rights and the establishment of fair and safe labor conditions.