Brian Fisher

A well earned Holiday Gift – Premier Recycling Inks first contract at 100% Ratification

Courage, integrity, tenacity, grit, justice, fairness….These are all words that come to mind when speaking about the drivers at Premier Recycling, who, in 2022, voted for union representation. They courageously stood up for their rights in the face of a very combative employer.

So today is a very special day. We are proud to report that Premier Recycling has ratified their first contract at 100%. We couldn’t be more excited to see these drivers get their first contract, their back pay, and a bright future ahead of them. They are the heroes in this story. Grinding it out, day after day, as they put their trust in each other and in Teamsters Local 853. What a holiday gift to everyone who has ever stood up for fairness and integrity on the job.

“Employers should take note when they see their employees organize and step into their offices to address their issues as a collective.” said Premier Steward Ramon Castillo “Ignoring issues regarding the safety and treatment of the workers is what led us to unionize this company. By no means was this easy, especially when an employer has the money, union busters, and resources to try and exhaust the pro-union supporters into giving up. The more we were told we would never win, the more determined we became with our solidarity.”

This was truly an all-hands-on-deck effort by the entire labor community.

As it proves, time and time again, if you are a company that decides to act in bad faith with a legally formed union group, you will lose. Every time. End of story.

We would like to especially recognize our Premier Recycling stewards, Mike Flores, Alex Obeso, and Ramon Castillo. These members went through extraordinary efforts to build the base on which their membership stood.

We also want to recognize the entire labor community, the JC7, and all the Bay Area Labor Councils and Bay Area Building Trades who stood behind these workers by authorizing picket actions, denouncing Premier Recycling’s anti-union actions, and ending the company’s ability to perform pro-union labor agreements. This kind of pressure on the company was simply undeniable and very taxing.

And would be remiss not to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Business Agents Jesse Casquiro, James Long, our union attorney Abel Rodriguez, and Teamsters Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres, who graciously stepped in at the eleventh hour to push our negotiations over for the win.

So now that we have a contract in place, we want these Teamsters to thrive on that next contract. That means recognizing that the company came to terms with a union workforce. And it’s now in the interest of all of the above-mentioned parties to support Premier Recycling as a Union entity. We dust ourselves off from our disagreement and support every effort to make Premier a successful business for the sake of our members and good business practices in our communities.

To all the Teamster 853 members at Premier, Happy Holidays!!! Welcome to the fight and to the Teamster family.

Below is just some of the history behind this contract.

400+ Days Since Premier Recycling Voted to Organize as they continue to work towards a first contract. After 3 wrongful layoffs, 1 wrongful termination, and countless hours of picketing, they deserve our respect and support for Staying Strong.
Premier Recycle Members on Strike
Three Premier Recycler members in San Jose who stood up to testify to the San Jose City Council on wage theft.
Teamster 853 Members Make Public Statements & Successfully Convince San Jose City Council

Full Quote from Ramon Castillo, Premier Recycling Steward:

Employers should take note when they see their employees organize and step into their offices to address their issues as a collective. Ignoring those issues regarding the safety and treatment of the workers is what led us to unionize this company. By no means was this easy, especially when an employer has the money, union busters, and resources to try and exhaust the pro-union supporters into giving up. The more we were told we would never win, the more determined we became with our solidarity. Workers were shamed, family’s were effected and livelihoods. In the end, our resilience prevailed. Gracias to the Teamsters Local 853: Steve Beck, Ray Torres, the business agents Pablo Barrera, Jesse Casqueiro, James Long, and union attorney Abel Rodriguez. Another big gracias to San Jose councilman Peter Ortiz for his support. I’m proud to have led this battle with my brothers, Michael Flores and Alex Obeso. Workers look like us too, whether anyone likes it or not. Last but not least thank you to the membership my Teamster brothers George Ochoa, Ernie DeLatorre, Jose Lopez, Dante Funtila, Rafael Quiniones, Armando Aguilar, Ken Stewart and Albert Velasco for their full commitment from beginning to end. I couldn’t have asked for a more solid team. Someone once told us at this company we could get fired for anything because the company wasn’t Union. Thank you because it only motivated us. Contract in place and Si La Hicimos!

Video Created by the Members

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Teamsters scholoarships for 2025 – There is no better time to work on scholarships than the holiday break

Sisters and Brothers,

Every year, the Teamsters offer several scholarship opportunities for children and dependents of Teamster members who are in good standing. Last year, Teamster 853 members were awarded several scholarships. It’s a very good opportunity to reduce the financial burden of sending our children to higher education.

So, this holiday, we would like to remind you that if you have an eligible child or dependent, take the time to sit down with them and apply.

Here are two scholarships that will be awarded next year.

[application] – Teamsters Scholarship for 2025
[application] – Teamsters Scholarship for 2025James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship for 2025

Teamsters scholoarships for 2025 – There is no better time to work on scholarships than the holiday break Read More »

Second Harvest members crush new contract. 100% Ratification with significant gains across many areas.

Sometimes you just get it right. A non-for-profit whose sole purpose is to provide for underprivileged communities. Teamster workers who put in the time and work to enable that company to succeed and thrive in its mission.

It wasn’t exactly that way at the beginning of negotiations for this contract; however, after many, many, many hours of hard work that the Teamster 853 members and negotiating committee put in with Second Harvest management, a relationship developed. What emerged was a positive culture of working with each other instead of against each other.

The result was a great contract for our members and a motivated workforce for the company.

This contract was inked with a unanimous 100% approval of the members, securing a very substantial wage increase, Teamsters Benefits Trust medical, signing bonuses, seniority language for all start times, added holiday pay, added safety language and driver protections, and added strike language.

“This is what it looks like when everyone on both sides is doing the right thing for the right reason.” Said Business Agent, James Long. “It was a process of coming together for the benefit of all”. “Big shout out to the members on the negotiating committee, Bill Hockaday, Rudy Muniz, and Daniel Jacques. They were spot on from start to finish”.

Congratulations to all the 853 members at Second Harvest.

Second Harvest members crush new contract. 100% Ratification with significant gains across many areas. Read More »

Kelly Spicers overwhelmingly approves new three year contract with best increase in wages they have ever received

Congratulations to the Teamster 853 Members at Kelly Spicers, who ratified a new three-year contract. The contract included the best increases in wages ever received over the three years, a good increase in pension, improved sick leave, “shift premium” and “specialty skills” increases, and maintenance in health benefits. Pictured are Stewards Oscar Perlia and Francisco Munoz, who were part of the negotiating committee that secured this deal.

“Our stewards and members did a great job bringing the most important concerns and needs to the table,” Said Business Agent Lyle Funderburk, “and getting such a strong vote meant that those needs were met.”

Kelly Spicers overwhelmingly approves new three year contract with best increase in wages they have ever received Read More »

Teamsters Local 853 secures 1.3 Million dollars in back pay for UNFI Drivers

After three years of battling for our members at UNFI, Teamsters Local 853 secured an incredible win for its members. Due to a contract violation over wage rates, Business Agent and Vice President Ray Torres enforced the merits of the agreement, arguing that significant back pay was due to these members. The company did not agree that they had violated the collective bargaining agreement, and so began a three-year grievance that ultimately resulted in arbitration.

Three long years later, after considerable back and forth, argument, and counter-argument, a decision that ruled in the favor of the Union was reached. The drivers at UNFI were victorious and secured a whopping 1.3 Million dollars in back pay.

This is a great example of why Unions are so important. Without the protection of a contract and the Local Union watching out for its members, that 1.3 Million dollars would never have been given to the workers who are entitled to it.

“It’s not about the size of the win.” Said Teamsters Local 853 President Steven Lua; “all wins, big and small, are important because they give justice to those who are impacted. Our members work hard for their money, and it’s our job to hold the company accountable to the agreements that we bargain.”

Congratulations to the UNFI workers who waited patiently and trusted their Union Leaders to get them what they deserve. Teamsters Local 853 will always have your backs and couldn’t be happier to get this win.

Teamsters Local 853 secures 1.3 Million dollars in back pay for UNFI Drivers Read More »

What a weekend it was for Teamsters 853 Members as we celebrated member appreciation in Oakland and San Jose

This past weekend, Teamsters Local 853 celebrated the heart and the power of our Union, you, our members.

On Saturday and Sunday, we united to celebrate and culminate a year of success. We have achieved the strongest and most lucrative contracts in many years, largely because of the hard work that all of you, our members, have done to lead, to stick together, and to put in the time.

As Teamsters Local 853 officials, business representatives, and staff, we hold ourselves responsible for maintaining the respect and dignity that has been fought for by our founding sisters and brothers and those who will continue to push the envelope in the future. We’re focused on educating our members so they can defend themselves when push comes to shove and, most importantly, to enforce the merits of our collective bargaining agreements. Every effort we make as an organization is done to provide you with a better future because you deserve the best we have to offer. The dignity and respect that strong union representation brings.

So this past weekend was a great showing of what our local is made of. Our members came out from dozens of different industries and had an opportunity to see that their sisters and brothers were all filled with joy and to partake in our membership appreciation celebration.

From hot dogs, music, and prizes to face painting and a little Elvis Presley sighting, we enjoyed celebrating YOU. As we close the chapter this year and get ready for 2025, we want to thank all Teamsters 853 members for always showing the love, support, and positive energy that makes Teamsters Local 853 a great Union. We are eager to continue the good fight, and we look forward to doing it alongside our sisters and brothers.

Teamsters Local 853

What a weekend it was for Teamsters 853 Members as we celebrated member appreciation in Oakland and San Jose Read More »