Diana KilmuryThe passing of former Teamster president Ron Carey has left me with mixed emotions. Sadness, of course, that the charismatic leader who headed the greatest revolution in Teamster history has left us. But also frustration at how it ended. It has been over a decade since that awful day when we learned that the machinations of some Washington operatives involved in Ron Carey’s 1996 campaign had embroiled him in an illegal contribution scheme that resulted in the overturn of our second victorious election and rendered him ineligible for the rerun.

Ron Carey will always be remembered by myself and hundreds of thousands of Teamsters as a great leader who inspired us and helped change our union forever. I was proud to serve with him and to be his friend. My condolences go to his family; please know that Ron was revered and even loved by many of us and he will never be forgotten.

Diana Kilmury, Local 155
Vancouver, B.C.

Diana Kilmury was elected International Vice President on the Ron Carey Slate. She was the first woman ever to serve on the Teamster General Executive Board.