Brian Fisher

Challenge Dairies Teamsters Ratify new contract at 96% yes vote 

We see the trucks everywhere and signs everywhere. The Northern California butter that lines the shelves of most grocery stores across America. A name synonymous with quality. There is a reason why this quality product continues to be the industry leader it is, and that reason is Teamsters 853 workers.

Because of their work and dedication on the job, Challenge enjoys the reputation it does year after year.

And this year was the year when all that hard work paid off with a very good contract.

For the next three years, these Teamsters 853 members have secured the pay, benefits, and protections commensurate with the work they put in. The new language has a strong pay increase, an increase in pension, and additional vacation pay on top of the already very strong previous contract.

Big shout-out to the members who were part of the process, who expressed their opinions and voted with their voices. And most importantly, thanks to Steward Dave Carlson, who also sat on the negotiating committee and kept members well informed and unified on a strong contract.

Challenge Dairies Teamsters Ratify new contract at 96% yes vote  Read More »

Undivided, undeterred, and stronger than ever, Teamsters Local 853 celebrates our members’ unity

Strikes, protracted negotiations, unfair labor practices, worker exploitation, union busters, and income inequality: being a Teamsters 853 member means taking a stand and taking pride in the struggle to lift each of us up against these forces. There are lists of long-standing practices supported by big money and corporations that are determined to divide and conquer us.

Teamsters Local 853 understands the challenges we face, so we promote and embrace the single most important attribute to overcome all this adversity – our unity! When we speak with the voice of many, we defeat these forces that align against us. It shows in our contract victories, our grievance victories, our strike victories, and so many other day-to-day successes. 

Taking time to break bread, take a breath, and further strengthen our bond.

With all of this hard work, I believe it’s important to press pause and take stock in where we are. Last weekend we did just that. We put aside the work and the battles to recognize our accomplishments and celebrate our unity at our annual membership appreciation event. It was a perfect weekend to celebrate, and I want to congratulate and express my gratitude to every member personally. Whether you could make it out or not, know you are part of a strong family that appreciates everything you do. Your voice matters. Stay engaged by reaching out to a Steward, Business Agent, or fellow member to share your ideas and experiences. Through active participation, we become stronger as a union.

So, on behalf of myself, President Steven Lua, and the entire Teamsters 853 organization, let’s celebrate our unity, and let’s continue to move forward together.

Steve Beck, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer

Undivided, undeterred, and stronger than ever, Teamsters Local 853 celebrates our members’ unity Read More »

Safeway Milk Plant Teamsters Ratify new contract at whopping 95% yes vote – best contract in memory

As some of the senior members at the Safeway Milk Plant stated, “This is the best contract we have ever had”.

Teamsters 853 members had another great contract ratification this month. After a fairly long and drawn-out set of negotiations, these members walked away with what is arguably being called the best contract ever negotiated for this group.

This contract was considerable. It included an enhanced bonus structure, a strong wage increase, increased contributions to the pension, health and welfare increases, the first-time addition of the QC workers under the contract who now will receive Teamsters Medical and Pension, the addition of office members to the Teamsters medical, improvements to sick leave, bidding, and union business language.

Congratulations to our members for their focus and unity. And thank you to stewards and negotiators—Billy Mitchell, Rich Finkas, Dennis Corchuchia, Michael Frisch, Obed Mora, and Alex Assefa. Your stewardship and contract work exemplify Teamster excellence. Without your leadership, none of this would be possible.

Safeway Milk Plant Teamsters Ratify new contract at whopping 95% yes vote – best contract in memory Read More »

Student Transportation of America Members Ratify Strong 4-Year Agreement – w/First Time Pension

Student Transportation of America Teamsters have voted to ratify a new four-year contract that delivers meaningful gains in pay, benefits, and protections.

Wage increase was significant, they secured a first-time ever pension contribution, added holidays and sick days, significant health care coverage upgrade, added very important strike language to the contract, and added additional progressive discipline language that more accurately reflects a fairer process.

Of particular importance was the first-ever pension, which makes this important job a more secure long-term career move.

“This group did a great job staying unified and securing improvements that really matter in both day-to-day and long-term on-the-job protections,” said Business Agent James Long. “Big shout out to all the members who participated, lent their voice, and especially those who stepped up for their fellow workers, Stewards Robert and Kelli, who also served on the negotiating committee.”

“These members do the crucially important work of transporting the children in our communities safely to and from school.” Said Steve Beck, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary Treasurer. “By securing a pension along with all of the other improvements of this contract, these members are being recognized for the truly important work they do in our communities. “

Student Transportation of America Members Ratify Strong 4-Year Agreement – w/First Time Pension Read More »

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set

🔥🔥 On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set!!

Sysco has less than one week left to present a fair contract offer to more than 400 drivers and warehouse workers represented by Teamsters Local 853.

👉 Teamster workers are demanding that the multibillion-dollar food service giant address serious safety concerns and deliver wages, benefits, and working conditions that meet or exceed the standards already set by Teamsters at other Bay Area food service companies.

Last week at the negotiating table, they did not take our appeals for safety changes on the job. So we asked some drivers to send us pictures of unsafe loads and conditions, and in just a few days, we already have all of these photos. If you have ever done the job, you know what these photos represent. Dangerous on-the-job situations are happening too frequently.

⏰ So we all wait for the company to get it together and treat the ones who make them successful in a fair and dignified way in the workplace.

“Our drivers and warehouse workers need safety on the job. Daily, they face a whole host of problematic shipments that they are forced to load and deliver, even when they know that some are unsafe,” said Teamster 853 Vice President and Business Agent Ray Torres. “There must be a change in the contract language to empower these workers to have authority over their own safety.”

Across the West Coast, over 1,000 other Sysco Teamsters – including members of Local 137 in Sacramento, Local 162 in Portland, and Local 533 in Reno – are also approaching contract deadlines. If Sysco fails to reach an agreement with its workers, the company could soon face a major labor dispute.

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set Read More »

All Teamsters 853 members at Safeway Milk Plant – Contract Vote this Sunday

When: Sunday October 19th, 9 AM - 11 AM
Where: Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland
7750 Pardee Lane
Oakland, California 94621
Contact Business Agent James Long: ‭(415) 225-4197‬

All Teamsters 853 members at the Safeway Milk Plant,

Please make it a point to make your voice heard and show up for your contract vote this Sunday at 9 AM. Don’t miss this very important opportunity to give your input on whether or not your group should ratify this new contract.

In Union,

James Long, Business Agent, Teamsters Local 853

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SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract

SYSCO Foods Teamsters were out in force on an early Monday morning at 3 AM at SYSCO Foods to show their solidarity as they negotiate for a new contract. They authorized a vote two weeks ago to strike if needed, and now they are boots on the ground in an early morning huddle focused on their mental preparation for the upcoming contract fight. Determination and grit.

This is their first contract since before COVID-19. They are ready to go to the mat to get fairness in this next contract.

👍👍Hoping for the best case; which is being treated fairly at the table.

💪💪 But preparing for the worst with a full understanding that sometimes you have to fight like heck just for a fair shot.

SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract Read More »