On September 11, there was an election in Teamster Local 948, the big local covering cannery workers, UPSers, and others in the California Central Valley from Modesto in the North to Visalia in the South. The Luis Diaz – Lupe Juarez – Tim Parolini Unity Slate swept the election, with Diaz winning by 905-598 over the former head of the local, Adam Ochoa. The majority of Local 948 members work for major food processors: Con Agra, Del Monte, and Stanislaus Foods.

We lost a dedicated Teamster and wonderful human being when Al Adams passed on September 7 at the age of 79. Al was the kind of person who makes the union and the world a better place. And he was a dear friend to myself and many others.

"We've won changes to our constitution that TDU has been fighting to win for decades. Now, we're on the verge of electing new leadership at the International. The TDU Convention will be crucial to make plans to Get Out the Vote, and to get ready to transform our union. We'll be there!"

On August 12, the Teamster Independent Disciplinary Officer (IDO), Robert Luskin, issued a report and detailed embezzlement charges to be filed against Mike Philbeck, the former president of Lexington Kentucky Local 651.

Thanks to a generous donor, TDU is launching the James “Jimmy” LaRose Memorial Scholarship Fund in Jim’s honor to help low-income Teamsters attend the TDU Convention.

In January 2021, TDU lost a member and friend in Brother James LaRose. Jim was a Shop Steward at UPS Local 294, and a long-time Teamster reformer. He passed away at the age of 52 after a lifetime devoted to fighting for a stronger union. 

The assets of the Central States Pension Fund fell to $9.8 billion at the end of March, a drop of $573 million in the first quarter.  The fund projects forward that it will pay $2.83 billion in pension benefits this year, while taking in $651 million in employer contributions.