2026 JC7 Baseball Game
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2nd Harvest Food Bank Silicon Valley holds company wide OPS learning day
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley hosted a company-wide Operations Learning Day for all employees at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits in San Jose.
As part of the program, all union-represented employees attended a dedicated session featuring representatives from the Teamsters Assistance Program (TAP) and the Teamsters Health & Welfare program. Thank you to Christopher Dunn (TAP) and Dominic Sangiacomo (Health & Welfare) for providing an overview of available member resources and benefits, including how to access support services and navigate coverage-related questions.
The session also provided time to review current union matters, raise questions, and ensure members had clear, up-to-date information on workplace issues affecting the bargaining unit.
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JC7 Teamsters Contribute over $30,000 to the family of Teamster’s Local 853 member Juan Jacobo who tragically passed away on the job at US Foods
Nothing can remove the suffering that the family of Juan Jacobo must endure due to the tragic accident that took Juan away from his family, friends, and coworkers. The only thing that can be done to ease the journey is to rally around his family and support them in any way possible.
So when Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck sent out the call to the JC7 community to support Juan’s family, our larger Teamster family answered. Within a day of the call, JC7 Teamsters Locals had made donations to Juan’s family in the sum of over $30,000. This, in addition to the $10,000 in benefits given to dues paying members will help Juan’s family at least not worry about money for a little while.
Our larger Teamster JC7 family also supported by sending out the call to attend a candlelight vigil held in Juan’s honor at the worksite.
“We cannot replace Brother Jacobo, but we can try to ease the tragedy his family is enduring,” said Teamsters 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck, “Juan’s family saw something powerful: their family grew, as Teamsters Locals from across the region showed up in solidarity. That is what it means to be part of the Teamsters family. On behalf of every Teamsters Local 853 member, I want to acknowledge and thank all those Locals who contributed to this most important cause.
Candlelight vigil this Tuesday, Feb 10th, for Teamsters 853 member Juan Jacobo who tragically passed on the job at US Foods
Teamsters 853 member Juan Jacobo, who worked at US Foods in Livermore, tragically passed away on the job on January 21st.
Teamsters Local 853 is holding a candlelight vigil for Juan this coming Tuesday, Feb 10th, at 6 PM at the US Foods yard in Livermore.
If you can make the time, Juan’s wife and five children would take comfort in knowing that he was part of a community that respected and valued him and his work. Let’s show them they are not alone in their grief.
“When you stand shoulder to shoulder with these members at US Foods like we recently did when we organized this group, you do it to bring a better life to them,” Said Ray Torres, Teamsters Local 853 Vice President and Business Agent. “So when something happens this tragic, it’s simply heartbreaking to witness. We should give our all to Juan’s family.”
US Foods Livermore on February 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
300 Lawrence Dr, Livermore, CA 94551
In the Yard
*** Personal donations to the family will also be accepted at the Vigil. At this point, the family has chosen not to do an online fundraiser.
Spanish-speaking shop steward seminar in Watsonville
This week, Teamsters Local 853 held a Spanish-speaking shop steward seminar in Watsonville. Shop stewards from Driscolls Inc., S. Martinelli, and Del Mar Foods attended.
Being a shop steward is a selfless job done on behalf of others. We encourage all members to extend a huge thank you to these, and to all, shop stewards at Teamsters Local 853. They are a critical guiding light for members and an important conduit between the Local’s Business Agents and the members. Every day, they fight to enforce and preserve the integrity of our collective bargaining agreements.
Thank you to Lorrie Bradley from Beeson, Tayer & Bodine for leading this training. Topics included steward responsibilities and duties, workplace organizing, and strategies for being a highly effective workplace representative.
Shop Stewards in attendance:
👏 Elvia Soto
👏 Isabel Ponce
👏 María Esther
👏 Jorge López
👏 José Bernal
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Township Retail Services Teamsters Ratify 4 Year Contract with big wins on Salary and Pension
If you have ever been outlet shopping at the Gilroy outlet mall, did you ever wonder who keeps the mall’s public space clean? Yes, they are this group of Teamster Local 853 members.
This year, these members secured an incredibly strong 4-year deal. Jumping their salary substantially over the life of the contract and securing a doubling of the pension contributions from the Company.
Congratulations to this group of hard-working members who stuck together, remained unified, and achieved an impressive win.
Teamsters Local 853 welcomes courageous group who initially formed their own independent union.
Oro Loma Sanitary District operates a regional wastewater collection and treatment system—moving sewage from homes and businesses through hundreds of miles of sewer lines to its treatment plant, where the wastewater is processed and tested so the water can be safely discharged in compliance with regulations that protect the San Francisco Bay.
Seven members of this vital company decided to form a Union without the support of an already established union to bargain with the company from a position of strength. It was a courageous and bold move. After organizing and forming their Union group on their own, they ran into the complexities of negotiating a contract without the resources and experience of a seasoned union.
Enter Teamsters Local 853
These workers contacted Teamsters Local 853 to convert their self-managed bargaining unit to a Teamsters Local 853 bargaining unit. It was fairly straightforward; they signed intention cards and then arranged to vote to transfer representation to the Teamsters. The vote was 100% unanimous.
Please join us in welcoming this group to Teamsters Local 853. Having members with such drive and initiative is a very welcome addition to our Teamster family.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Champion of Labor Unions and Equality for All
853 Sisters and Brothers,
On this MLK day, we would like to remind you of the ties between King’s efforts and the success of the Labor Movement in the 50s and 60s. We felt it important we understand the history of a man whose efforts built a foundation that we all now stand on.
Labor and Equal Rights
Martin Luther King Jr. was not only a leader in the civil rights movement but also a passionate advocate for labor unions and workers’ rights. He understood that economic justice was inseparable from racial equality and believed that unions were essential to building a fair and equitable society. King’s work demonstrated that the fight for civil rights was also a fight for the dignity and well-being of all workers, regardless of race or class.
King consistently supported labor unions, viewing them as a powerful force for social and economic change. He praised the labor movement for transforming oppressive conditions into progress and opportunity, declaring that unions were “the first anti-poverty program.” King stood in solidarity with workers, joining strikes and protests to demand fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to unionize.
King’s Death
Tragically, King was killed in Memphis, there to support the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, where he championed the cause of Black workers who marched under the rallying cry “I Am a Man.” Cementing his legacy as a tireless advocate for labor rights.
Equality in our modern time
While labor unions were central to King’s vision, his advocacy extended to broader struggles for equality. He believed that economic justice and racial justice were deeply intertwined and that no group could achieve true freedom without solidarity among all marginalized communities. King often emphasized that injustice in one area threatened justice everywhere, urging people of all backgrounds to unite in the pursuit of equality.
King’s legacy as a champion of labor unions and universal human dignity serves as a reminder that the fight for justice requires collective action. His unwavering commitment to economic and social equality continues to inspire movements for fairness and opportunity today.
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First contract ratified at 100% – The women of Latinas Contra Cancer do the kind of work that rarely makes headlines, yet changes entire lives.
The women of Latinas Contra Cancer do the kind of work that rarely makes headlines, yet changes entire lives: they walk alongside people facing cancer when the system feels cold, confusing, or impossible to access. They confront the real-world barriers that force families to choose between care and survival—language, lost wages, lack of insurance, immigration-related fear, and the daily weight of inequity—by making sure patients are seen, heard, and supported with culturally rooted care and unwavering dignity.
What makes their work extraordinary is how practical and personal it is at the same time. Their patient navigators, promotoras, advocates, and community health workers help schedule appointments and follow-ups, coordinate transportation, connect people to interpretation, and guide families to free or low-cost care and social services—while also building community through support groups and survivorship resources. They are not just helping someone “get through” cancer; they are helping families reclaim power in a healthcare system that too often overlooks them, and pushing toward a future where health is treated as a right.
The compassion and grace they extend to their patients is reflected in the grace shown by their extraordinary mix of funders
Latinas Contra Cancer is funded mostly by donations and grants—roughly 98% of its revenue comes from contributions (as reported in its public charity filings). In practical terms, that money tends to come from a few main places: individual donors, foundations and community philanthropies, healthcare partners (health systems, hospitals, and cancer centers), and corporate supporters including biotech/pharma—with occasional local public-sector/community grant support as well.
The support that LCC provides its employees is a strong example of what’s possible when an organization prioritizes worker well-being and actively supports the job security, protections, and benefits that come with union representation.
“Joining the Teamsters was an important step for Latinas Contra Cancer because our mission is rooted in advocacy for our patients, our community, and our team.” Said Jessica Diangson, Director of Operations & Finance. “Strengthening our workplace ensures our staff can thrive and feel supported in the work they do every day. Union representation for LCC provides stability and a collective voice, ensuring we can continue delivering compassionate, high‑quality support when it’s needed most.”
“Latinas Contra Cancer (LCC) is a group of members unlike any in other Local 853’s membership. Guiding people through cancer is a critical and tough job. Local 853 will be there in the years to come for our members at LCC and to make sure the organization thrives. We are proud that the objective of a first contract has been achieved.” Said Teamster 853 Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry
These new members approved a three-year agreement that includes a pension and Teamsters health care. The vote was unanimous.
“I’m excited to welcome them to Teamsters Local 853,” said Teamsters Local 853 President Steven Lua at a recent meeting. “But even more importantly, I’m excited to support the work they do. Their mission is meaningful and valuable, and it inspires me personally to keep working hard for those who need it most. They are a very welcome group to our Teamster family.”
Statement by Teamsters Local 853 Secretary Treasurer, Steve Beck
Teamsters Local 853 is dedicated to enriching the lives of these members and honoring their unique role within our union. They are the ones who take care of our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers in a way that is hard to replace. We will continue to ensure these workers thrive by securing the support and protections they need to keep doing their essential work.
Learn about their special work on their website here: https://www.latinascontracancer.org/
60‑Day Extension extended for 17,000 drivers with Legal Address Outside of California – Non-Domicile CDL Suspensions Update
CA DMV update for non-domiciled / limited-term CDL(California Driver’s License) & CLP(California Learner’s Permit) holders
California DMV has stopped issuing non-domiciled CLPs/CDLs after a federal compliance finding. This means if your legal permanent residence is not in California, you are likely subject to this ruling.
On December 30th, 2025, the DMV extended 17,000 cancellations to the close of business on March 6, 2026
If you’re affected, DMV will send you a letter/email.
Your non-domiciled CDL(California Driver’s License) & CLP(California Learner’s Permit) application may be cancelled, and some non-domiciled CDLs may be cancelled (others may remain valid until expiration).
Do not ignore your letter.
DMV says if your CDL is cancelled, your regular (noncommercial) license may also be cancelled, meaning you can’t legally drive a personal car until you apply for a noncommercial license.
DMV’s stated next steps (fee waived with your letter):
- If you do not have U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, apply for a noncommercial license by your letter deadline.
- If you do have U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, apply for a compliant CDL by your letter deadline.
Contact the DMV phone: (916) 306-5153 . For office visits, make an appointment and complete an online application prior to your appointment.
More Information
For more information about the newly imposed federal requirements, visit fmcsa.dot.gov.
