Diamond Walnut workers voted Tuesday by an overwhelming margin to ratify a new five-year contract, resolving an epic struggle that began more than 13 years ago.

"This contract rewards the hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Teamsters at Diamond Walnut," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters general president. "This resolution has been a long time in coming, and it represents the strength and power of a unified Teamsters Union."

The agreement between Local 601 in Stockton, California and the company covers about 400 regular, full-year production and maintenance workers, and another 350 workers employed during the fall harvest season. The contract, ratified by a 180-61 vote, is the first between the parties since Teamster workers struck on September 4, 1991.

"There were times that I didn't think we?d see this day," said Local 601 Secretary Treasurer Lucio Reyes, a former Diamond Walnut worker who was instrumental in brokering the agreement. "But thanks to the Diamond Walnut workers, other Teamsters locals and with the support General President Hoffa and the International Union, we got it done."

An historic day
"This is the longest strike that I have ever been a part of," said Chuck Mack, Teamsters International Vice President for the Western Region. "By ratifying this contract, the workers have made this an historic day."

The contract provides strong wage increases and establishes a 401(k) plan for current employees, and the company will provide training such as language classes and instruction in forklift driving for workers who seek advancement opportunities. The pact also ensures that all workers' seniority is respected and will allow workers who have been on strike to return, without current employees losing their jobs.

The dispute between the company and workers had its roots in the severe financial difficulties faced by the company in the mid-'80s. At that time, workers agreed to take a 30 percent pay cut to help get the company back on track. By the time the contract expired in 1991, the company was showing gross profits of more than $171 million, yet no new contract offers showed no acknowledgement of the workers? sacrifices during the tough period. When the workers struck, the company hired replacement workers.

The following years were difficult and hard-fought. The union began organizing the replacement workers; votes for union representation were held in 1992 and 1993, both of which were thrown out because of unfair labor practices and charges of discrimination against several workers.

International boycott
During the work stoppage, workers and fellow Teamsters across the country established an international boycott against Diamond Walnut products, staged non-violent demonstrations, traveled to raise awareness of the strike, and even upstaged Bob Dole at an event during his 1996 presidential campaign.

In the 10th year of the strike, the company offered several workers an ultimatum: return to work or lose your job. Local 601 used this to the workers' advantage.

"We told the workers who were interested to go back," said Reyes. "They were all strong union supporters who talked up the union from inside the plant."

For these workers, returning to the plant -- staffed by the workers who had replaced them a decade before -- was difficult. "I had coworkers who would dump crates of walnuts when I was working on them," said Teresa Michel. "I told them, 'You're hurting the company, not me.'"

Solid support
Even during these tense times, the Teamsters and Local 601 provided solid support. "Lucio was always there for us," said Michel. "He was there if we had questions, he did anything he could for us, any time of day. Knowing that he fought for all these years to get us our contract makes me so proud. Our union is very good."

"I'm so happy," said Susy Prince, a quality control worker who worked at the plant for 12 years and has walked the picket line throughout the strike. "This does so much for me and my coworkers, even my children and grandchildren."

"This is awesome," said Amanda Gomez, a machine operator who walked on the picket line for years. "It's such a relief to go to work and know that my coworkers and I will get the respect we deserve and the company can't fire us for no reason."

"I was optimistic that we would resolve this dispute with a fair contract --and today it finally happened," said Reyes. "I look forward to a bright future for Teamster workers and Diamond Walnut."

This article is reprinted from the Teamsters' website, www.teamsters.org Visit the site for more information and a timeline on the Diamond Walnut strike.