Ken Spillane, Local 804 Vice President (Retired)

I joined local 804 in June of 1960 and worked out of the old Queens North  building. We were known as the Queens North Marines. My Shop Steward was Ron Carey who was extremely helpful in getting me my seniority. As I got to know Ron I realized how much he really cared for the members he represented and the whole local union.

In 1967 he took a third chance at running for union office and I was lucky enough to run with him. We were called (by the imcumbents) the young misfits.  We won and Ron went on to become the greatest local union leader and yes even the greatest “Teamster General President” ever. He was taken down by a corrupt group who manufactured lies about him. The U.S. government wanted to make a
deal with Ron instead of going to trial. He refused and went to trial to be found “Not Guilty.”

There is so much more I could tell you about Ron Carey, Local 804 and the Teamsters but space prevents that.  The Teamsters lost a tremendous fighter and labor leader. I will miss him
dearly and so will the labor movement.

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