Brian Fisher

State of our Union Two Years In

Sisters and Brothers,
It has been a little over two years since you elected our administration, and we are happy to report to you that the state of our Union is Strong.

“because of you” [Steve, this might be a good place to write your personal message, etc etc]

So, let’s get to it and give you an update by the numbers:

Contracts: Teamsters Local 853 has secured more record contracts in the past two years than at almost any other time in our recent history. This success stems from a strong unity among our members and the guidance of our Business Agents, who identify legitimate opportunities and help members work toward these goals together. Unity means trusting one another, trusting the negotiating committee, and trusting the Local’s guidance to vote as a well-informed group. This formula has proven successful in nearly every contract over the past two years.

[Steve, I added Efren’s group even though they will not contribute to the Local’s bottom line – we still organized them]

Organizing: Recruiting new members is the lifeblood of any union, and the mantra “Grow or Die” rings true here. In the past two years, we’ve added more new members than in the previous 10 years combined, organizing roughly 500 new members. This is an outstanding achievement, one that marks our best performance in over a decade.

Staffing: Adding Business Agents and staff is always a balance between meeting member needs and managing finances. Teamsters Local 853’s finances have allowed us to expand in areas where we were lacking. In total, we’ve added four new full-time Business Agents, with only two retiring. This means we now have two additional Business Agents to address areas of need, while still maintaining a positive cash flow. After covering the costs of the new BAs, we continue to take in more money than we spend. This is how its done responsibly.

Finances: If you come to the member meetings, you will hear financial reports delivered to the members monthly. And what you will hear is that Teamsters Local 853’s cash flow is positive, meaning we are taking in more money and saving some of it for rainy day or unexpected future expenditures. Our financial house is in order. We are ready for our future.

[Steve, the weird economic and political shit is going to be happening that I suspect may impact Unions quite a bit over the next few years. I believe its important to acknowledge this with the members for two reasons. 1. Subtle way to get the members to connect their votes to their pocketbooks. 2. If shit hits the fan and lets say contracts get more challenging due to economic downturn, or organizing gets thwarted due to lack of NLRB support, we NEED an “I told you this might happen” and rightly blame the economy, not the EB for the problems. ]

Economic Future: Uncertainty in our economy often goes hand in hand with the strength and stability of our union. It would be irresponsible not to acknowledge that the current economic and political climate is concerning. We see the challenges ahead and are actively preparing for their potential impact. The good news is that we are ready. Our union has secured strong contracts in a wide range of political and economic environments before, and we are committed to doing so again. That said, it’s important to recognize how closely our success is tied to broader and local political conditions. This is why we dedicate so much effort to supporting candidates who stand with unions. Without lawmakers who champion policies that protect and uplift workers, the work we do would be far more difficult—if not impossible.

So, on behalf of the entire Executive Board, I want to once again tell you that the State of Teamsters Local 853 is strong, secure, and ready for our future.

But I will always say it, that what makes Teamsters Local 853 great is YOU our members, and the unity you bring. Good contracts, good growth, good finances, and good politics come from a membership that is well-informed, active, and most of all, unified.

If you want to get more connected to us, please sign up here for our email list and like and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, where you will see updates daily on what we are doing at the local to maintain the above pillars of success.

In Union,
Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer
Steven Lua, President
Ray Torres, Vice-President
Mike Henneberry, Recording Secretary
Trustee Joel Bellison
Trustee Andrew Nunes
Trustee Gloria Segura

State of our Union Two Years In Read More »

JC7 Locals Rally Around Striking Teamsters Who Went on to Secure an Industry-Leading Contract

Deciding to go on Strike is akin to going to war and should never be taken lightly. Before reaching this point, workers must exhaust every possible option to resolve disputes. So when Teamsters 853 members were asked, “Have you explored every possible avenue to secure a fair contract?” and they answered “YES,” yet still faced an impasse, they had no choice but to take action.

This was the circumstance for 177 drivers at US Foods in Livermore who voted last year to join Teamsters Local 853, determined to lock down the security and future they deserve for the work they do.

Living in the Bay Area, one of the most expensive places in the world comes with unique circumstances for workers. Without contractual support for long-term economics like health care, wages, and pensions, workers are left with a choice to either move away or start working more overtime. Most of us would like to think that we could continue to live in the house we raised our children in well into retirement, but this was moving out of reach for these members in their current situation.

So when they went on Strike, Teamsters 853 leadership called to ask for support for these members, and JC7 locals from across the Bay Area met the moment. For eight(8) days, these members, along with support from so many JC7 locals, walked the line. Not a single day went by without seeing members show up from other locals. Because of so much public visibility and pressure on the company, at the beginning of week two(II), an agreement was reached and proposed to the members. The company had had enough, and the workers were satisfied and ready to get back to their jobs with a victory in hand.

The result? A groundbreaking contract featuring a 13% wage increase on top of already competitive pay, improved workplace safety, paid administrative leave, and significant reductions in health care costs. This agreement stands as one of the strongest in the food delivery industry—a testament to the power of unity and collective action.

“I was so proud and humbled to have stood with all of these members through this fight,” said Ray Torres, Teamsters Local 853 Vice President and Strike Captain. “Their determination and desire for something better is a welcome addition to our Teamster Family at 853.”

Teamsters Local 853 Principal Officer Steve Beck echoed this sentiment: “These new members showed remarkable strength in the face of adversity. Their perseverance has earned them a new family within Teamsters Local 853, and we celebrate this monumental victory with them!” He continued, “But this win wasn’t just theirs—it was made possible by the unwavering support of the entire Teamster community. I want to personally thank Strike Captain Ray Torres and all the 853 Business Agents who stood by our members day and night, as well as Peter Finn and the leadership of Joint Council 7, Teamsters Warehouse Division Director Tom Erickson, and all the NorCal Teamsters Locals who played a part in making this strike a success. Their commitment did not go unnoticed. Under the leadership of General President Sean O’Brien, Teamsters are standing up and achieving unprecedented victories—and we are determined to keep that momentum going!”

Last Thought on the difficulty of striking: A Strike is no easy thing. A member decides that their long-term financial security takes priority over their current day-to-day financial security. They must lean on each other and stay focused, determined, and resilient in the face of this uncertainty. And that takes real courage. These members made the call and stepped up and earned this win. Congratulations to all the US Foods Teamsters in Livermore.

JC7 Locals Rally Around Striking Teamsters Who Went on to Secure an Industry-Leading Contract Read More »

US Foods Drivers End Strike – Secures Industry Leading Contract for Food Service industry

Teamsters Local 853 is excited to announce the end of the US Foods strike in Livermore, where a proposal was just voted on and has been ratified by the membership.

Point blank, this was an incredible, industry-leading contract that secured significant wage gains, badly needed health care relief and safety language that allowed the drivers to determine whether routes and trucks are safe to work, and authority to remedy safety concerns.

This contract has been a struggle from the start. These drivers voted to join the Teamsters in 2024 and, for many months, have been negotiating with the company. When things soured and their backs were against the wall, they had no choice but to strike. It was a decision that was not taken lightly.

“I was so proud and humbled to have stood with all of these members through this fight,” said Ray Torres, Teamsters Local 853 Vice President and Strike Captain. “Their determination and desire for something better is a very welcome addition to our over 13,000-person strong Teamster Family at 853.”

This was a Teamster community effort. We want to recognize all of the members and other locals who took the time to stand with our members. Your support was critical in keeping the momentum and motivation up.

Special shout out to Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, Tom Erickson, for his guidance and support, and everyone who contributed at the IBT.

Stay tuned to this space, as there will be more to come, but for now, we want to recognize and congratulate every one of the drivers at US Foods in Livermore!!!!!!!

US Foods Drivers End Strike – Secures Industry Leading Contract for Food Service industry Read More »

Local 853 Costco Members Ratify Best Contract Yet

On Friday, March 7, Local 853 Costco Teamsters and Costco Teamsters across the country ratified a new three-year contract. The agreement includes wage increases, a twenty-two percent pension increase, premium increases, improved vacation, and, critically, a provision to make it easier to organize non-union employees for enhanced power at the bargaining table.

The approval of the agreement comes after months of arduous negotiations that took place all over the country, as is appropriate for a national agreement. In addition, rallies were held coast to coast, including a practice picket at the Hayward Business Center that brought together members from across Northern California.

Local 853 Costco Teamsters stood up and fought like they always do and ended up with the best contract in retail. Congratulations to all the members who made this win possible.

Local 853 Costco Members Ratify Best Contract Yet Read More »

THESE 177 NEW TEAMSTERS AT US FOODS ARE ON STRIKE, CAN YOU SUPPORT THEM?

Deciding to go on Strike is somewhat like going to war and should never be taken lightly. Every exhaustible position must be tried between the opposing parties before they reach this boiling point. So when these Teamster members were asked, “Have you explored every possible avenue to secure a fair contract?” and they answered “YES,” yet a contract still wasn’t reached, they had no choice but to go on strike.

This is the circumstance for 177 drivers at US Foods in Livermore who voted last year to join Teamsters Local 853, in search of securing the security and future they deserve for the work they do. The sticking points and goals have always revolved around long-term economics, such as health care and retirement.

Living in the Bay Area, one of the most expensive places in the world, comes with exceptional circumstances for workers. Because these members understand this and believe so passionately in long-term security, they were willing to sacrifice their own income to divert into a retirement plan with no cost to the company. But without contractual support for these goals, post retirement, these members will be left with a choice to either move away or start working more overtime hours now to improve their long-term economic viability. Most of us would like to think that we could continue to live in the house we raised our children in well into retirement, but this seems out of reach for these members at this point.

So we are asking ALL of the Teamsters in the Bay Area to help these new member secure their future by walking the picket line and supporting these members in Livermore. US Foods has recently announced year-over-year record Net Profits, and these drivers helped put them there. So let’s support these members and show our Bay Area communities that when Teamsters Strike, we have each other’s backs.

Where: 
US Foods | Distribution Center
300 Lawrence Dr, Livermore, CA 94551
When:
Any time after 7 PM, Sunday, March 2nd
Indefinitely

Contact:
For any additional information on the Strike
contact Teamsters Local 853 Vice-President Ray Torres at: ‭(661) 903-2980‬

ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT

Generic Post Text Ideas

These new Teamsters at Local 853 have exhausted every avenue at the bargaining table and are at the end of their rope.  So they have chosen to STRIKE!! 

If you are available to support our fellow Teamsters, please join them and walk the picket line. SHOW UP, BE LOUD, let US FOODS know we’re gonna fight hard, and do what it takes!

Where:
US Foods | Distribution Center
300 Lawrence Dr, Livermore, CA 94551
When:
Any time after 7 PM, Sunday, March 2nd
Indefinitely

Contact:
For any additional information on the Strike
contact Teamsters Local 853 Vice-President Ray Torres at: ‭(661) 903-2980‬

Just Right Click to Download – Save Image As

Walking the line

THESE 177 NEW TEAMSTERS AT US FOODS ARE ON STRIKE, CAN YOU SUPPORT THEM? Read More »

Teamsters Local 912, now 853, was the center of the Universe in the 1980s during the Watsonville Strike – watch the Movie, March 8th

Sisters and Brothers,

During a time when Ronald Reagan broke the back of the Air Traffic Controllers, Union work and protections was heavily debated. It was during this time that these Teamsters went on Strike for eighteen(18) months as a beacon of solidarity and justice for the workers who make all the money for the frozen foods corporations in Watsonville.

On March 8th, there will be a screening of a documentary that highlights their struggle. This is a significant part of the history of the Parajo Valley. Don’t miss the opportunity to understand what the workers before you had to do to establish the rights, wages, and benefits you now enjoy. And the legacy they have left you.

Be sure to get tickets in advance here at this link 👉 Watsonville on Strike.

Also showing after is a follow-up documentary: Daughters of the Strike / Hijas de la huelga. (This short film features sisters Blanca and Wendy, and their mother Sylvia, a former cannery worker and one of the striking workers during the historic Watsonville Cannery Strike of the mid-1980s. )

CineLux Green Valley Cinema
Movie Theater
1125 South Green Valley Road Watsonville, CA 95076
March 8, 2025, 6:30 - 8:30 PM PST

Watsonville On Strike is an intimate portrait of the 18-month cannery workers’ strike which virtually paralyzed this rural California town

This superb documentary showing the unvarnished facts of long, hard-fought labor battle–workers united, workers divided, the high and low points–may be the best introduction yet available to the realities of class struggle as it exists today. 

–Jessica Mitford, Author

Teamsters Local 912, now 853, was the center of the Universe in the 1980s during the Watsonville Strike – watch the Movie, March 8th Read More »

Genesis Logistics Members stand Unified as contract vote comes in at a perfect 100%

Teamsters at Genesis Logistics have just ratified their new three-year contract. These warehouse workers and drivers have the task of keeping all of the Seven-Eleven convenience stores in the Bay Area stocked. The warehouse picks, preps, and loads, and drivers deliver all the goods to stores as far north as Yuba City, east to Sacramento, and a little south of Fresno.

The contract had no takeaways, meaning nothing was lost from the previous contract. There were significant gains in wages and benefits, as well as increased protections in the language of the contract.

The negotiating committee really deserves credit for keeping the group together,” said Business Agent Efren Alarcon; “the vote was unanimous, and he secured a full recommendation. Special thanks to Steward Pete Hall, Steward Miguel Muñoz, and Steward Trent Rivera. 100% votes is very uncommon and shows the strength of this new three-year contract. Very well done.”

Let’s all get behind these Teamsters for a job well done and for sticking together to secure a strong future.

Pictured from left to right are Michael Vasquez, Driver & Member; Jim Borden, a 31-year Teamster; and 25-year Teamster & Steward Peter Hall.

Genesis Logistics Members stand Unified as contract vote comes in at a perfect 100% Read More »

What Does the Union Do For Me Anyway?

These are drivers from Mosaic Global Transportation and inter-campus drivers from Meta.

Due to the way the corporation has set up its business to maximize profits at workers’ expense, Meta and other companies rehire different driver companies roughly every year. If these members did not have a union contract with language to keep their standing and seniority, they would have to start over each time Meta chose a new company.

Without Union Representation

That’s right; imagine if you had to move to a new company every year and lose your seniority, pay scale, and benefits. This is a reality of employment outside of Union work.

With Union Representation

With the Union, these drivers have a career; without it, they would just be starting over every time the company hired a new driving contractor.

Real-world careers are built and protected.

As an example, these members followed their work from WeDriveU to Mosaic last year in March. Meta has now awarded the work back to WeDriveU. Seriously, it’s like a yo-yo. It will be exactly one year since the last transition.

This has happened ten(10) times since 2019 at a dizzying pace – and each time Teamsters 853 members are protected.

Compass to WeDriveU - Tesla,
Compass to WeDriveU - Genentech,
Compass to WeDriveU - Netflix;
WeDriveU to Hallcon - Amazon,
WeDriveU to Storer - Meta Coach,
WeDriveU - Meta Inter campus to Mosaic;
Hallcon to Mosaic -Meta Coach;
Mosaic to WeDriveU - Meta inter campus,
Mosaic to Hallcon - Meta Coach;
Storer to Hallcon and
WeDriveU -Meta Coach.

The contract language in the master shuttle agreement protects the drivers every time one contractor loses a client to another; they do not have to start over. Having a career in this industry would frankly be impossible without the Union. It’s also a clear example of how corporations have set rules that would destroy an employee’s chance at a career and only focus on maximizing profits for the corporation.

This is what the union does for the members. Day in and day out, 24-7, in every industry we serve. Protect the interest of the workers it serves.

Content and Story provided by Business Agent Tracy Kelley

What Does the Union Do For Me Anyway? Read More »

VISTAR DRIVERS, Welcome to Teamsters Local 853

VISTAR Brothers,
My name is Steve Beck, I am the secretary-treasurer and Principal Officer at Teamsters Local 853. I am responsible for leading Teamsters Local 853.

Congratulations on the vote you recently took to become a Teamster. I want to welcome you into our Teamster family formally. I have already heard about and witnessed the unity your group has shown, which propelled you to a high-margin win on your vote. This unity is going to serve you well.

Teamsters Local 853 represents 13,000 members just like you in the Bay Area from over 300 companies. We have considerable expertise in negotiating good contracts in your industry. Drivers at USFOODS, Coremark, UNFI, Sysco Foods, and Performance Food Groups are all Teamsters 853 members, so we know what fair wages and benefits look like in this industry, and we will be fighting to get you the salary and benefits you deserve for the work you provide.

We need your help and your participation.

For as long as I am here, you will hear me talk about the most important thing about being in a union. That is to be a well-informed member and to participate in the Teamster activities that affect you and your fellow members.

Unions are only as effective as their members’ unity and motivation to take a stand and help each other. Unity in numbers is how we get good contracts against greedy employers and how we get labor-friendly legislation. We vote for politicians who understand and support the working women and men who live in our communities, and we show up and use our collective voices to protest injustice in the workplace.

This is a battle between corporations whose sole mission is to make as much money as possible by any legal means… and the workers who usually deserve more than they get from those employers.

What can you do to start things off?

Please start getting involved now by signing up to our email list, where you will get important information on events that affect you and your coworkers here:

Follow our feeds on Facebook and Instagram, where you will regularly see members like you all over the Bay Area and the work they do.

On behalf of myself, Steven Lua, our President, and the entire staff at Teamsters Local 853, welcome again, and let’s do this smartly and together, the Union way.

In Union,
Steve Beck

VISTAR DRIVERS, Welcome to Teamsters Local 853 Read More »