R.I.P. Ron Carey

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
I don't know why some (bbag) always have to post even when they have no clue!

Ron Carey stood up for the members and understood what our job detailed. Ron while he may not have been liked by some on this site and in life, cared about everyone of us when he was the president of the I.B.T.

When Ron ran the teamsters he did what a teamster rep should, represent the members! He understood that he worked for us and his job was to look out for our best interests. Something that has been ignored since his departure from this once great union.

Ron lead the biggest labor movement in 97 and put power back in to the unions hands. How many ptimers are now full time (22.3) because of Ron? Thank you for everything Ron.

Ron i wish you all the best in the after life and my families prayers are with your family and other teamster families who feel your loss.

I've made my points about the ways i disagreed with Ron Carey in the past. now is not the time to do so.
My euology from the opposite side might make the following points:

He was a worthy oponent who I agree did much to bring reform and democracy to the teamsters. As a tactician I have to give him credit for always being one and sometimes two steps ahead of ups during the 97 strike. while I disagreed with many of the points he made as the leader of the teamsters I have to agree that he fought for what he believed in with passion. I would also point out that as a leader he was second to none.


Very honest and fair posts, gentlemen. What a family we have here.
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Local 804 members who wish to pay their respects are welcome at the Frederick Funeral Home at 192-15 Northern Blvd in Flushing, NY at the following hours:

Monday, December 15: 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm

Tuesday, December 16: 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm

Mass will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament 3424 203rd Street in Flushing (34th Avenue and 203rd Street).



I will be attending Monday, if anyone is going, pm me and we will meet outside.

I'm gonna pop in on Monday to pay my respects, before I go to pay respects to my Mom. Anybody else going to show up here?
 

dannyboy

From the promised LAND
My personal view of Ron:

He was deeply committed to his goals of making the teamsters much more transparent then they had ever been. unfortunately, that made the man a lot of enemies

As Tie mentioned, during his dealings with UPS and the strike, he always seemed to be a step ahead of UPS. I wonder if his background as a UPS man served him well during this time. When you compare it to what we have now, a bunch of lawyers.......

While I too disagreed with some of the tactics, he was a man of very stout principles, which garnered respect from those he dealt with. And made many enemies within the teamsters power structure.

I hope when the final story is written, the great things he accomplished will far outshine any minor issues that distract from them.

d
 

705red

Browncafe Steward
At the age of 20 Ron Carey started working for ups in 1956 like his father had done before him, Ron was a second generation upser. He like many on here did not like what he was seeing at work, so within 2 years he was elected shop steward in 804 because he felt that the members were not receiving the representation they deserved.

In 1965 he went on and was elected into local 804 and just two years later he was president of local 804. All of this because he believed that people had rights and as teamster represented members he was going to insure that they received the best they could.

He won the first secret ballot election held for the president of the I.B.T. Ron was a working mans man, and understood that the companies were not his friends. In 97 like others have said he was at least two steps ahead of ups leading up to and during the strike. Ron had united all upsers from across the country, ptime ftime, package, porter, feeder and we all stood side by side together in solidarity that had not been seen in decades.

People said that Ron was guilty of teamster gate, but he was found innocent of all charges. I will say that Ron was guilty of expecting that everyone he had around him felt the same as he did towards the working men and woman of this great union, and this is/was his only downfall.

Ron you will be missed greatly, especially from your brothers and sisters at ups. I only wish our current I.B.T reps had a 10th of the courage and strength that you did.

My only regret is that i wont be able to see Ron ever regain the presidency of the I.B.T were he right fully belongs!
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Steve, I would think that the crowd would be such that you won't be able to just "pop in". Also, and this is totally none of my business, but I think you have your priorities reversed.

Had I said that I would be spending the day at Ron Carey's wake and popping in at my own Mom's ceremony, my priorities may be a little skewed. But as I am popping in to give respects to Mr. Carey and staying the remainder of the day with family at my Mom's ceremony, I don't see the problem. Remember, I'm not you, I'm me, and I like being me. Not upset by your query, just saying, we are two different people. Again, my condolences to you and your family on the passing of you Father. RIP
 

BLACKBOX

Life is a Highway...
Ron Carey's legacy will live on for generations to come. You have to admire where he started and where he ended up. He truly had our best interests in his heart.

May the road rise to meet you, your journey has just begun....
 

mrvngrdns

Active Member
Not much to add to what already has been said, but I can add this...

After the bitter strike in '96 was over, we went back to work, and a few weeks later, a few of us were contacted by local union organizers, who wanted UPS to participate in the local Labor Day Parade, which was, and still is, a big deal in this area. We approached the center manager, and was told that we had his blessing, and could take a P-400, a P-600, and a UPS Feeder to the parade...I'll forever be appreciative of this, he could easily have turned us down, considering the issues of the past few months. We spent hours polishing and cleaning the three vehicles, and got permission to have our families ride with us in the parade. The trucks were organized in small to large order, I drove the P-400. We also got bags of "UPS goodies" to throw to the spectators. I'll never forget turning the first corner, and having people who were in lawn chairs, plus the people who were already standing, raising to give us a rousing standing ovation. This went on for the length of the parade. We had given the labor movement, something to be proud of, and they wanted to show their appreciation. It was a great moment.

I will always remember Ron Carey for his insightful leadership during this difficult time, and for believing in us. He was a powerful leader just when we needed it.

RIP Ron Carey.
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Had I said that I would be spending the day at Ron Carey's wake and popping in at my own Mom's ceremony, my priorities may be a little skewed. But as I am popping in to give respects to Mr. Carey and staying the remainder of the day with family at my Mom's ceremony, I don't see the problem. Remember, I'm not you, I'm me, and I like being me. Not upset by your query, just saying, we are two different people. Again, my condolences to you and your family on the passing of you Father. RIP

Popped in to pay my respects yesterday at 2pm. There weren't that many people there when I arrived, but I got there way early. UPS guys showed up in pkg cars and in uniform, as well as guys in Teamster jackets. This was a great send off for Ron, may he rest in peace.
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Just saw this at the local 804 website.

Ron Carey Remembered as a Hero, Fighter

Former Local 804 President and Teamsters General President Ron Carey was laid to rest on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 after a funeral service at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
Ron’s sons remembered their father as a fighter who went out strong.
Near the end of the service, Ron’s ten-year-old grandson, Danny, rose to speak. Danny said: “I wasn’t born yet when my grandfather was President of the Teamsters Union. From watching videos, I can see what an inspiration he was. In 1997, Bill Clinton told my grandfather to stop the UPS strike. My grandfather said “No” to the President of the United States, because he had to do what was right for his people. I think the reason my grandfather wasn’t President of the Teamsters longer is because a man as honest and courageous as him could not be allowed to be President of the Union.”
You could hear a pin drop. And then Teamsters and family members alike exploded in applause that went on and on as tears welled up in the eyes of many of the Local 804 members in attendance.
The Carey family extended its thanks to the Teamster brothers and sisters who came from across the country to honor Ron over the last few days, including the many Local 804 members and retirees who paid their respects.
In his eulogy, the priest called Ron Carey a true American Hero and said our job is to carry on his legacy in our own lives.
Amen.
 

705red

Browncafe Steward
Its nice to see that local 804 has dedicated some space for Ron's passing. But i have been checking the international brotherhood of teamster website, and not a mention of Ron's passing! What a load of crap, hoffa cant even give a little space or condolences for the Carey family?

Just another first class move by someone that has never done a teamster job! I only hope when little jimmy dies we wont have to wait in long lines behind all of the management going to pay their respects before us! SELLOUT!
 

local804

Well-Known Member
Awesome post Steve. I wish I could have went to the wake at an earlier time so I would have met you in person. I noticed on the flower arrangments that there were many sent from different locals and numerous package/feeder centers in NY/NJ. I did not notice anything sent from local 804(BA's) or did I see any of the Executive Board there or hear that even 1 showed. I really cant say that I am shocked but I guess a little annoyed at the situation. 705, that awesome post from Steve, is a website for the 804 members and is not affiliated with the 804 website. We have lost a great man.
 
A

anonymous6

Guest
Ron Carey was a friend of our family and when he had business in the lake Tahoe area we had lunch with him at the Biltmore casino.

whoever said he was not good at the politics was right. He was honest and tough and did not like to play games.

True story; right before the strike. the friday before the strike I was sitting in the lunchroom at the Oakland hub when we were supposed to walk at the deadline and it was postponed.

Ron called us at home Sunday night and asked me about the mood of the drivers in the bay area and I told him personally I was pissed off that he didn;t call the strike on friday night like he said he would as it showed weakness to the company.

He said it wasn't all up to him as he had a whole table full of people that had to make the decision and even though he agreed with me and a whole lot of Teamsters that we should of struck that friday , he had to listen to the other leaders of the Union.too.

I basically said " Who's the Boss of the Teamsters?" Bottom line is that you are and you have to listen to your gut and do what you think is right for your guys."

he thanked me and quietly hung up.

the rest is history and he got us one of the strongest contracts in Teamster history. it's a real shame what hoffa jr has done to give it all back and then some.

i'll miss you, Ron.
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Received this in the mail today. RIP Ron Carey. May God rest your soul.
rcthanks.jpg
 

stevetheupsguy

sʇǝʌǝʇɥǝndsƃnʎ
Very cool Stug, you and that damn camera :)

Once last get together for the man we all loved.

Ahhh, technology. Hey, 804? The good thing about being a good guy, is that no matter how much crap people throw at ya, you're always a good guy, and no one can take that away from Ron.
 
Top