Tempe mulls temporary name replacement for César Chávez Day

PHOENIX — The Tempe City Council will consider temporarily renaming its March 31 César Chávez Day holiday to Day of Recognition for Women Farmworkers, a change proposed by a city-labor coalition.

The Six-Sided Partnership, which includes representatives from five city employee unions and the senior management team, recommended the temporary renaming to honor women who participated in the farmworker movement led by civil rights activist César Chávez.

March 31 holiday to be renamed

We are devastated to learn of the allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez. We stand with those who have suffered sexual abuse and are renaming our Cesar Chavez holiday.

As Tempe has a paid holiday for employees, we will meet with our… pic.twitter.com/3sZ98zMmeu

— City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) March 18, 2026

The proposal, scheduled for discussion at Thursday’s city council meeting, aims to recognize women whose efforts “led to better quality of life” for farmworkers and employees in other professions, according to a city announcement. The partnership also cited a desire to acknowledge trauma some women farmworkers have suffered.

The partnership plans to meet later this year to recommend a permanent name and date for the paid holiday, which would require council approval.

March 31 has been observed as César Chávez Day in Tempe, honoring the labor leader who founded America’s first successful farmworkers union. The holiday results in the closure of most city offices while maintaining emergency services.

The Six-Sided Partnership includes representatives from the United Arizona Employees Association, Tempe Officers Association, Tempe Supervisors Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, Confidential Employees and the Senior Management Team.

Tempe’s proposal follows similar moves across Arizona in response to sexual abuse allegations against Chávez, including incidents involving minors, reported by The New York Times.

The Phoenix City Council will vote March 25 on renaming its holiday to Farmworkers Day and removing Chávez’s name from city buildings and street signs. Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the state would not recognize César Chávez Day this year.

Tempe officials declined to comment, but said they will discuss the decision at Thursday’s meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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