JUAN CHACÓN

1919-1985

Prepared by Cookie Stolpe
Western New Mexico University

Miller Library

Few Mexican-American leaders have attained the status of trade unionist Juan Chacón, but surprisingly little has been written about Chacón and his struggle to improve the lives of miners and the Mexican-American people.

Chacón was born November 8, 1919, in Dwyer, New Mexico, near the Mimbres River. Chacón, who has been described as a slight of build, soft-spoken, and even shyly retiring, would become know for his many accomplishments, including becoming the president of the local miners’ union and starring as Ramón Quintero in the famous film Salt of the Earth.

Growing up in the Mimbres Valley, Chacón was well aware of the vast cultural differences in the area. As a young man Chacón moved to California searching for work, joined the merchant marine, and was stationed in Hawaii where he became a skilled welder.

When Chacón returned home, he discovered he couldn’t obtain a welder’s job at the new Kennecott Mill in Hurley because skilled jobs, such as welding, were reserved for Anglos. He took a job as a laborer and joined the Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Union. He became a shop steward and grievance committeeman, and he proceeded to hold various union offices. He was elected president of the local and he served for thirty years. He also served as chair of the Kennecott National Bargaining council. As president, he worked successfully for better wages and benefits, improved working conditions, and equality for his union membership.

The film, Salt of the Earth, sometimes referred to as a documentary, covered true events of the 1951 Empire Zinc strike in Grant County, New Mexico. In the movie, Chacón’s role as Ramón Quintero was actually a portrayal of himself and his role in the strike. The Mexican-American workers wanted fair and equal pay, working, and living conditions—the same benefits as were offered the Anglos. The movie depicts how striking husbands stayed home to care for the children while their wives took up the picket lines. The strikers endured fifteen long months of hardships before winning their demands.

The filming began in January of 1953 in Grant County north of Silver City on the Alfred Roos Ranch. The filmmakers and stars were accused by the Congressional Un-American Activities Committee of being supported by Communist ties. There were local demonstrations, parades and vigilante threats against the lives of those involved with the film. The film industry also tried to prevent completion of Salt because it alleged the filmmakers had Communist-dominated leadership. After the film was completed, the government tried to block its release by forbidding the processing of the prints into film. Against all odds, the film was finally produced and was shown, not only in this country, but also in many countries around the world.

Juan Chacón died in 1985 following a life of courage and dedication in the struggle for fairness and justice. At one time, he remarked that his biggest accomplishment was contributing to the workers he represented. He is buried in Faywood, New Mexico. On the campus of Western New Mexico University a building is named after Juan Chacón, as is the Union Hall of Local 890 in Bayard.