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.