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LOS ANGELES – Farm labor leader Dolores Huerta was recovering in fair condition Sunday from pneumonia and an infection. 

Huerta, 70, remained at the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center after being admitted in critical condition on Thursday. Doctors removed her from the intensive care unit Saturday night, hospital spokesman Dan Page said. 

“Her voice is really weak, her physical strength is very weak, but apart from that she’s in great spirits,” said her son, Emilio Huerta. “She’s in a little bit of discomfort but she’s trying not to show it.” 

Emilio Huerta has asked that well-wishers not try to visit or telephone the labor leader but instead donate blood to their local blood bank in honor of his mother. Dolores Huerta received 27 pints of blood over the course of her surgery and recovery, the son said. 

Huerta fought an infection she developed while recovering from intestinal surgery in Bakersfield in October. 

She was in critical condition for more than a week after the surgery and later spent two weeks at a rehabilitation center. Complications forced her back to Bakersfield Heart Hospital on Nov. 30. 

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union with the late Cesar Chavez. Together they negotiated collective bargaining agreements and contracts with big growers, winning the first health and benefit plans for farm workers. 

Huerta stepped down as UFW secretary-treasurer in September to help campaign for Al Gore.