P-9 leader Floyd Lenoch: A fighter to the end

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12 SOCIALIST ACTION APRIL 1987 The long duration of the strike took its toll on the families involved. Many of the strikers who were Mexican immigrants were forced to return to Mexico to find employment and support from family members.

Outpouring of support

People from throughout Northern California responded to the strikers' difficulties with an outpouring of support. More than 3000 people marched in Index available for 3 years of Socialist Action You can now obtain indexes of Socialist Action for 1984, '85, and '86. We're more than a newspaper. As a monthly, we provide in-depth analysis of national and world events. Our articles are still timely. Your index will lead you to articles you may have missed-but shouldn't have. Each yearly index is $1.50 (includes postage). Order from:

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On Feb. 21, 1987, Floyd Lenoch died of a broken heart. Just one week before his death, the Hormel meatpacking company notified him that because of his work in the union, he was discharged and would not be put on the recall list.

Floyd could not believeafter putting in close to 45 years for Hormel—-that he could be dismissed like this. His only crime was that he was a tireless fighter for the union and the working class and was loved by all in his community.

Floyd Lenoch touched almost every phase of life in Austin. He coached baseball and basketball teams, paying particular attention to the players with the least talent. He always tried to help those who needed the most help. Floyd was also an avid gardener, who usually shared the fruits of his labor with others in Austin.

Beginning in 1960, Lenoch held numerous posts in his union. He served as president of Local P-9 and as a member of its executive board. He was removed from the executive board last year when the international leadership of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) placed P-9 under trusteeship.

The funeral was held in the Catholic Church in Austin. There was an unmistakable air of sadness among the over 1000 people who attended. The P-9 workers of Austin had suffered such bitter blows from Hormel, the corrupt UFCW leadership, the governmental apparatus, and the bureaucrats of the labor movement that the death of Lenoch seemed almost too much to bear.

It was the largest funeral ever held in that church. Two of his children gave eulogies. They told of a caring, loving father whose entire life was devoted to ideals of upgrading humanity and his struggle for human rights.

Former P-9 President Jim Guyette sp oke of Lenoch's glowing record, his unsı elf -ishness, and his devotion to his union.

The following are some of Lenoch's last words from interviews: