The use of the short-handle hoe, known as El Cortito, caused significant physical strain for farmworkers in Salinas Valley. On June 10, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of a landmark legal case that ended its use, showcasing the fight for worker safety and health. Workers endured debilitating conditions for years until they united with legal aid in the late 1960s. Their efforts serve as an approach to combat systemic neglect towards laborers, reminding future generations that they can also instigate change in addressing injustices.
The use of El Cortito was not about efficiency or productivity, but rather a system of control that kept workers stooped, asserting dominance in the fields.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the landmark legal case that ended the use of El Cortito and improved farmworkers' health.
For decades, the short-handle hoe contributed to serious health consequences, leaving workers with debilitating injuries and reflecting a systemic disregard for their well-being.
The struggle against El Cortito is a powerful reminder of what can happen when farmworkers, lawyers, and local leaders unite to confront social injustice.
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