Dolores Huerta, legendary US labour organiser, dies at 96

Dolores Huerta, a towering figure in the American labour movement and civil rights struggle, has died at the age of 96. The activist dedicated over six decades to organising strikes, walkouts and protests that fundamentally transformed conditions for agricultural workers toiling in US fields.

Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez in 1962, which later merged to form the United Farm Workers union. Her relentless advocacy campaigns targeted major growers and food corporations, leveraging consumer boycotts and direct action to force concessions on wages, hours and workplace safety standards.

Beyond her work in the fields, Huerta became a broader symbol of the civil rights era, championing the causes of women, immigrants and the poor. She remained politically active well into her later years, frequently appearing at labour rallies and continuing to speak out against worker exploitation and economic inequality.

Huerta's legacy extends far beyond the agricultural sector. Her organisational tactics and moral conviction influenced generations of activists and labour organisers throughout North America and internationally. She received numerous accolades throughout her life, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognising her extraordinary contribution to social justice movements in the United States.