Brian Fisher

Shop Steward Alex Woolner, out of Sunnyvale, is hustling hard for all his UPS Sisters and Brothers. “A big shout out and thank you to Alex and UPS’ers like him who are putting in the time to make a better life for all of the UPS 853 Teamsters.” Said UPS Business Agent, David Crawford

Last Sunday, Second Harvest Food Bank members met to review current issues and potential strategies prior to starting up negotiations next year.

“Preparation is the key to building our unity, and how we get a solid agreement.” Said James Long, Teamsters 853 Business Agent. “Second Harvest members are going to be ready to maximize their opportunities.”

Liquor Committee Chairmen Steve Beck and Mike Pharris kicked off the opening meeting of the Statewide Liquor Committee to begin negotiations to secure a good contract for over 1000 Teamster members who work in the liquor division. Over 20 Teamster locals participate on behalf of these members in California. They continue to lead the industry for many Teamster companies, including RNDC and Southern Glazers. Please stay tuned as these negotiations progress.

ABF Freight Teamsters 853 members voted unanimously to ratify their contract, which included significant wage increases over the term of the agreement, two additional sick days, and two additional floating holidays. They also removed the cap to any cost of living increases based on the Bay Area CPI.

The ABF contract is a national contract, so all ABF members’ votes around the country will be counted and the results will be announced on June 30th. Stay Tuned!!

S. Martinelli and Company Teamsters started early on their negotiation preparation. Their contract expires in February. The members of this Committee represent every department in the company. And the seniority is from 3 to 34 years. 

More time to prepare means better negotiations and a better contract. And this team is going to the mat to fight hard for their future.

The NorCal committee’s last bargaining session with the Company was on June 6th. The company remains unwilling to bargain over individual proposals and has maintained their position that the only way to get a potential tentative agreement is if the Union will accept the company’s current package deal. There are very few items currently on the table to bargain over, and most of the proposals could be agreed to by both parties if they were not attached to a package deal. (Take it or leave it mentality of UPS!) 

Members of the NorCal committee that are on the National Negotiating committee have not attended National Negotiations since May 5th. The instructions from General President Sean O’Brien and General Secretary Treasurer Fred Zuckerman have been for the NorCal committee to remain at home to finish the NorCal Supplement negotiations. While the NorCal Committee is looking forward to participating in the National Negotiations, we will remain steadfast while we attempt to finish the NorCal agreement. 

The NorCal committee will not be held hostage by UPS and its tactics to try to make NorCal agree to a package deal. The NorCal committee made it extremely clear to the Company on June 6th that we are willing to continue bargaining the contract when the Company agrees to bargain over individual proposals. As of today, the Company has not changed their position. As soon as UPS decides to take these negotiations seriously and bargain in good faith over individual proposals, the NorCal Committee will continue meeting with the Company to negotiate. 

Teamsters Local 853 represents zoo keepers at the Oakland Zoo. These professionals are negotiating a first-time agreement with the venerable Oakland institution. President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Nate Miley stopped by a recent meeting of the members to learn about their jobs and voice his support for Oakland Zoo Teamster Zoo Keepers!

“The Supervisor was warm and genuine and the keepers were glad to give him a real insight as to what they do.” Said Stacie Picone, a member of the negotiating committee.