The United Farm Workers union has cancelled celebrations honoring co-founder Cesar Chavez following allegations that the late labor leader was involved in the abuse of young women or minors.

The UFW announced Tuesday it would suspend its annual tributes to Chavez and open an inquiry into what it called "troubling allegations." The union said it has not received direct reports or firsthand knowledge of the claims but considers them serious enough to warrant immediate action.

"The allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose," the union said in a statement.

Chavez co-founded the UFW and became an iconic figure in the American labor movement through his advocacy for farmworkers' rights. He died in 1993 and has been celebrated annually by the union and supporters across the country.

The union did not provide details about the nature of the allegations or their source. The decision to halt commemorative events represents a significant step for an organization that has long honored Chavez's legacy as a champion of workers' rights and social justice.