Brian Fisher

Douglas Parking, Oakland, Teamsters Members 853 Contract

Douglas Parking in Jack London Square, Oakland, Unanimously Ratify 3-Year Contract.

Local 853 members at Douglas Parking in Jack London Square Oakland unanimously ratified a new three year agreement. “The contract includes solid wage increases, improvements in health and welfare, additional holidays, widening of the bargaining unit, and enhanced retirement security,” said Business Agent and Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry. “Douglas JLS Local 853 members get the job done for the public and each other!”

Douglas Parking in Jack London Square, Oakland, Unanimously Ratify 3-Year Contract. Read More »

This Sunnyvale UPS Driver knew his rights, fought back, and got his job back.

When UPS management tried to deny his reinstatement, Nathanael Naranjo, a UPS Driver at Sunnyvale, did something about it.

Nathanael was taken off the job because of some educational compliance issues he was required to complete. And when he finished those requirements, he was eager to get back to work. But when he came back, UPS management said no. Their response was weak and vague as to the reason why, so Nathanael did what all members should do when they need help; he talked to his steward and his Business Agent.

In the three weeks that followed, Business Agent David Crawford coordinated a full-court press with Nathanael and the foothill center stewards against UPS management to get Nathanael reinstated. At every turn, the group was met with unreasonable and unrelenting resistance, but in the end, UPS management was forced to capitulate and put Nathanael back to work.

“What UPS management tried to do to Nathanael was wrong, so we got in there, wore them down, and forced them to make it right.” Said business agent David Crawford. “Nathanael and the stewards from the foothill center should be commended because they showed fierce Teamster determination and unity and never gave up. And it really paid off. I am really happy to see Nathanael back to work at the job he and his family count on.”

This Sunnyvale UPS Driver knew his rights, fought back, and got his job back. Read More »

Peter Ortiz, Domingo Candelas, Omar Torres

San Jose Members – Council Members Back Premier Recycling Teamsters 853 Members

We cannot do it alone. Cities and towns that support unions aren’t simply willed into being. Working and living in a city that supports unions is the result of vocal members of the community and body politic.

We, as Teamsters 853 members, have to be aware of the politics in our cities and towns and then actively vote for elected officials that support union workplaces.

In the case of San Jose, Teamsters Local 853 would like to acknowledge three city council members who have been recent standouts for supporting our members’ causes. They have worked to bring and maintain fair and equitable employment to the people who work and live in San Jose.

San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who represents District 5

San Jose City Councilmember Omar Torres, who represents District 3

San Jose City Councilmember Domingo Candelas, who represents District 8

All three of these council members showed up at our Strike at Premier Recycle and also penned a letter to the owners of Premier Recycle expressing support for the workers there. Premier Recycle has benefited from many San Jose city contracts, so the influence on their business from these council members is considerable.

Thank you, Councilmembers Ortiz, Torres, and Candelas, for your support. You have our backs, and come election time; San Jose Teamsters will have yours!!

Below is the letter these council members wrote to the owners of Premier Recycle.

San Jose Members – Council Members Back Premier Recycling Teamsters 853 Members Read More »

UPS NorCal Contract Negotiations Update for May 13th

The NorCal Committee met this week in Oakland California and concluded the seventh week of supplemental negotiations. The 15 locals covering a geographic area from as far south as Bakersfield California, up north to Eureka California, and spanning east to west from the Bay Area to the far reaches of Northern Nevada. We collectively represent over 15,000 strong UPS Teamsters; Teamsters who have reached out in droves this week with words of encouragement asking this body to keep fighting and standing strong for their member driven proposals and to maintain the amazing protections that they already have.

The Company continues to bring forth unacceptable proposals and has made it clear to this committee that they are not interested in moving the process forward or resolving the issues that they have created over the last 5 years. These unresolved issues continue to be the grievance procedure, pay issues, the protection of hours, and holidays. The Company holds hostage proposals that we can fundamentally agree to, by packaging them with proposals that are detrimental to our members. We have asked to bargain each proposal individually and are met with the words of, “the package is the package”.

The Company has made it clear that they will not move forward unless we tentatively agree to their “package deal”. General President Sean O’Brien and General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman have made it clear that while National Negotiations has officially begun, if the Company cannot come to find common ground and finish our Supplemental Negotiations they can and will shut down talks with the Company in D.C. We appreciate the continued support from the General President and General Secretary Treasurer and will keep working hard to get across the finish line for our members in Northern California and Nevada.

The Committee is scheduled to continue negotiations with the Company Monday, May 15th, in Oakland, California.

UPS NorCal Contract Negotiations Update for May 13th Read More »

Premier Recycle Members on Strike

Can you spare time to show up and support your fellow members on their strike?

After voting to unionize a year ago, Premier Recycle drivers’ negotiations have been met with stall tactics, their safety and grievance concerns remain ignored, there is unwarranted surveillance, and a general environment of hostility to these drivers. So today, they start their strike.

And we are asking you to help. Show up and support their picket line. If you are in the South Bay today, stop by and give them your time and your support.

Watch this space for updates.

Where and When:

Premier Recycle
348 Phelan Ave.
San Jose, CA
Starts May 10th
Anytime after 3am

Premier Recycle Members on Strike Read More »

Greif in Morgan Hill Ratifies New Contract with best Pay Raise they have Ever Seen

Greif in Morgan Hill ratified a very strong new three-year contract with the best pay raises they have ever seen.

“We pushed negotiations to the limit; the committee stood strong with a wealth of knowledge.” Said Vice-President Ray Torres.
“These members received the highest wage increase they’ve ever seen, maintained their Health & Wellfare, and new bid language that our members will all benefit from.”

These members did a great job sticking together and negotiating smartly and aggressively—way to go Teamsters 853 members at Greif.

Greif in Morgan Hill Ratifies New Contract with best Pay Raise they have Ever Seen Read More »