1st 100 YEARS
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Over 400 members, retirees and family members celebrated Local 70's 100th anniversary on Saturday, September 27. The Local, one of the oldest in the Teamsters, was founded on October 3, 1903. Initially it was comprised of horse and wagon team drivers that drayed various commodities throughout the East Bay. With the advent of the motor vehicle the Local started organizing trucking in the late teens and early 1920's. Today Local 70 represents 4500 members in a variety of different crafts and industries - UPS, freight, chain grocery, waste disposal, production, beverage, water, transportation, warehouse and miscellaneous other industries. It was a great day to reflect on the past and plan for the future. President emeritus Jimmy Muniz spoke for the retirees. He recounted his years as a member and how important Local 70 was in his life and his family's. Joe Silva and Chuck Mack spoke to the present and the future. Mack (32 years) and Silva (18 years) are the longest-serving Secretary-Treasurer and President in the Local's history. One of the highlights of the celebration was the memorabilia displays. Ray Ramirez (retired Consolidated Freight) and his wife Doris brought their extensive collection of pictures, pins, flyers and posters from 1899 through 2000 and Doug Kinyon (retired Nations Way) also brought his memorabilia collection going back six decades. Alameda County Board of Supervisors President Scott Haggerty, a former
Local 70 member and Board member Alice Lai-Bitker presented the Local
with a congratulatory resolution. Ellen Corbett State Assembly member
and Joe Cazanave representing Congressman Pete Stark also presented resolutions
commending the Local on its service to members and the community. Mayor
Jerry Brown added his voice, and Judy Goff head of the Alameda County
Central Labor Council offered congratulations. Honored guests were former
officers and officials. They were recognized for their contributions and
commitment to the membership. SLIDE
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