Yellow Freight Bankruptcy Update – August 15th, 2025
Yellow Freight Teamsters Members, here is the latest update published by the IBT regarding the bankruptcy.
Yellow Freight Bankruptcy Update – August 15th, 2025 Read More »
IBT & JC7 Union Organizers Team Up to Deliver a Great Win for Teamsters 853 Bus Drivers at First Student
👉 Last month, Teamsters Local 853 welcomed a new group of 40 bus drivers from a company called First Student out of San Leandro, CA. It was the result of a collective effort between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters(IBT), the Joint Council 7, and Teamsters Local 853. A Teamster victory that we would like to tell you a little more about.
While many of us enjoy our Union jobs, some may not understand the work that goes into organizing a group of workers who want to vote ‘yes’ for a union.
And those of us who have been through it know all too well how grueling and hard it can be for potential members.
🥳 We celebrate the members who win with joy and exuberance, because the members are the ones who had the courage to step out of their comfort zone and strike out for something better and truly life-changing.
But this is about the behind-the-scenes coordination that takes place on every organizing campaign. It is never ever as simple as a group of workers getting together and voting.
😖 While that wasn’t the case with First Student because of a National Neutrality Agreement, in many workplaces, the moment a Union vote is announced and certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the company will quickly bring in union busters. These union busters have one purpose: to prevent workers from unionizing by deceiving and intimidating them throughout the entire campaign. They plant seeds of doubt with lies and deceptions, full stop. And those tiny seeds of doubt can derail an otherwise well-intentioned group of workers who just want a union contract for a better life.
It takes a group of professionals to successfully deliver the truth to workers who are in a Union campaign. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort.
Business Agent Tracy Kelley, who represents and supports nearly 1,100 members in the bus driver division (including dispatchers, vehicle cleaners, reservationists, and warehouse workers), partnered with IBT/JC7 organizers Adam Padilla, Allison Calistro-Yazzie, Aurellio Mendoza, Maria Ambriz, and Alejandro Negrete in their support of these potential members.
💪 The organizers dedicated weeks to in-person one-on-one conversations, group meetings, emails, and text messages—ensuring that First Student bus drivers stayed informed with the truth and energized about Union representation.
Their efforts paid off with a resounding 29–6 “YES” vote. An overwhelming margin rarely seen. Because of these efforts, this will be a very well-educated and motivated addition to our Teamster 853 family.
So Teamsters Local 853 proudly recognizes the outstanding efforts of this group. Their dedication and selfless support of our Local made a meaningful difference, and we are grateful for their hard work.
“This group’s hustle on the First Student organizing drive was Teamsters-level good. Their contribution made Teamsters Local 853 stronger as a local, and was a model of cooperation between our Local and the IBT and JC7.” said Stephen Beck, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. “Because of their effort, I can congratulate our newest brothers and sisters for standing up for what they deserve,” “These drivers ensure that our kids get to and from school safely. And now they will be treated with respect they deserve, with a fair contract that reflects their importance within the community.”
📣 Special shout-out to Organizer Allison Calistro-Yazzie, who was the lead and ran a beautiful campaign. A campaign that Allison attributes to all the dedicated drivers that “drove” a message amongst their co-workers that the need for change has long been past due.
Pictured from left to right: Organizer Aurellio Mendoza, Susana Perez, Organizer Maria Ambriz, First Student Driver Vanessa Bumbrico, Organizer Adam Padilla, Organizer Allison Calistro-Yazzie, and Business Agent Tracy Kelley
First Student Votes to Join Teamsters Local 853
In a final vote today, August 19th, this group of 40 drivers from First Student has chosen to join the ranks of Teamsters Local 853 and pursue all of the wage, benefits, and job protections that come with being in Local 853.
These drivers recognized the power that a Union provides by voting overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 853.
“These school bus drivers have banded together and have shown the courage to take real steps to improve their lives,” said Business Agent Tracy Kelley, “now we get to show them how good a decision they made to be starting to journey to secure a strong first contract.”
Join us in congratulating these new members and welcoming them to our Teamster 853 Family.
“Congratulations to our newest brothers and sisters for standing up for what they deserve,” said Stephen Beck, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. “These drivers ensure that our kids get to and from school safely. They ought to be treated with respect and they deserve a fair contract that reflects their importance within the community.”
Teamsters Local 853 would like to strongly recognize the efforts of IBT and JC7 Organizers Adam Padilla, Allison Calistro, and Alejandro Negrete, who truly went above and beyond to selflessly promote Teamsters Local 853, and who ran a marvelous campaign. The results say it all.
First Student Votes to Join Teamsters Local 853 Read More »
VISTAR Ratified Super First Contract
VISTAR, one of the Teamsters 853’s new groups, which had one of the strongest Union Drives in recent history, has proven that a strong group with strong unity always wins the day.
Today, they ratified a monster first contract with substantial wage increases, decreased health costs by 50%, daily OT, seniority bidding, paid administrative leave, and the protection of a Teamsters 853 contract that will secure a healthy future with all of the job protections it provides.
Teamsters Local 853 Vice-President Ray Torres said, “I am so proud of these members, they started unified and strong and finished unified and strong, and did everything right in the middle.”
Congratulations to these members on their first contract!!!
VISTAR Ratified Super First Contract Read More »
Stonewalled, bad faith, working against their own employees – This is why this new group of Teamsters is on Strike Against Westlake
Every once and a while, a Union sees a group that is so tight, so unified, that they are already acting like a Union, before they even vote. They trust each other, put their faith in each other, and believe in a better future together, with the friends and coworkers they spend their days with.
This is the story of this incredible group of 260 members at Westlake Royal Stone Solutions located at 350 Tower Rd, American Canyon, CA 94503.
A 1% Wage increase and a slap in the face
Unfortunately, this group of workers has been left with no other option than to go on strike because of their employers greediness. When Westlake offered a 1 percent wage increase, the workers represented by the Teamsters union decided it was time for the company to start taking them seriously. One percent is not even half the national average and less than a reasonable increase in comparison to the cost of living in Napa county and the state of California. Workers also continue to fight for better health benefits and safer working conditions
This community of workers has made Westlake the successful business that it is. So they are entitled to the better pay, benefits, and job protections that are commensurate with their contributions.
The strike
After eight months of negotiations, drawn out by Westlake Royal Stone Solution’s stonewalling and acting in bad faith, these members have exhausted every possible solution, and have been forced to go on strike.
So we are asking ALL of the Teamsters in the Bay Area to help these new members secure their future by spreading the word on Westlake and walking the picket line and supporting them. Let’s support these members and show our Bay Area communities that when Teamsters Strike, we have each other’s backs.
Where:
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
350 Tower Rd, American Canyon, CA 94503
Indefinitely
Important Yellow Update – Check Your Mail for Claims Paperwork Filing
On Friday, June 27, former employees of Yellow who filed individual proofs of claim outside of TNFINC’s filing were mailed the attached notice. Each individual’s letter included a “Claim Details Form” specific to their claim.
If you filed a claim in this fashion, you should complete the form as instructed and return it in the enclosed envelope that was provided. This is part of the claim reconciliation process. As a general update, we do not have an expected payout date and would not be able to provide an estimated date of payout.
Important Yellow Update – Check Your Mail for Claims Paperwork Filing Read More »
Local 853 Saves Teamsters Jobs at Golf Courses in San Francisco
In a multi-month effort, Local 853, in coordination with the SF Building Trades Council, saved sixty jobs from privatization at San Francisco’s city golf courses.
Immediately after last year’s Mayoral election, rumors started circulating about the Rec & Parks Department’s plan to privatize golf in an effort to save money at the cost of sixty jobs. When the budget hit in February, it was in print that the department fully intended to do what had been rumored up to then.
Enter the Teamsters & the Building Trades: Local 853 contacted the Building Trades, and a plan was put together to lobby members of the budget committee. Multiple meetings were set up with the members of the committee and chair Connie Chan. They backed us up 100% and then backed our position in several hearings on the matter. Local 853 and the Trades also met with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff to press our case. At the end of the budget process, Supervisor Chan, with the support of her committee, was able to craft an agreement with the Mayor that saved 60 jobs at the golf courses for Teamsters, Plumbers, Operating Engineers, Electricians, Stationary Engineers, and Laborers.
This campaign goes to show that when you execute a plan with confidence, smarts, and passion, you can fight City Hall!
Rudy Gonzalez (S-T SF Building Trades), Kevin Reavey (Local 853 Chief Steward-Golf RET) & Mike Henneberry (Local 853 Recording Secretary) spearheaded the efforts to save union jobs at golf with the direct involvement of the affected members.
Local 853 Saves Teamsters Jobs at Golf Courses in San Francisco Read More »
DRIVE Visits Martinellis – an important way you can support Labor in California and the United States
When you hear that DRIVE is stopping by your workplace, take notice. Last week Beatriz with DRIVE was at S Martinelli & Company, talking with members on the benefits to Labor that DRIVE creates and supports.
Sign up and support if you have the chance. DRIVE is not related to any political party; it only backs and supports Labor-supporting causes and politicians.
🧐 What is DRIVE
The Teamsters DRIVE program—short for Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education—is our union’s political action committee (PAC). It’s a voluntary fund, separate from dues, where members contribute (often around $1/week) to support political engagement and advocacy that results in furthering positive labor-related laws.
🗳️ What DRIVE Does
- Educates members on political issues and the voting records of legislators.
- Registers voters and runs get-out-the-vote campaigns at grassroots levels.
- Supports candidates (non-partisanly) who back labor-friendly policies, and opposes anti-worker politicians.
- Organizes advocacy efforts, such as rallies, phone banks, mailings, and precinct-level outreach.
💪 Impact Today
- DRIVE is arguably the largest PAC program of its kind in the U.S., entirely funded by voluntary member contributions.
- Funds are utilized in everything from voter education and registration to campaign support and legislative lobbying—all aimed at protecting Teamster interests like job security, benefits, and labor rights.
Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Office Steve Beck Speaks in Arizona on the importance of the BreakThru Liquor Strike
Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Office Steve Beck was in Arizona speaking to Teamsters Local 104 on the importance of extending the Breakthru Liquor picket line in Arizona, and what this fight means to the entire liquor industry.
“When you strive for equality, you are risking what little “you” possess for improvements. However, when you honor a picket line, you are risking what “you” have for what your sisters and brothers lack. There is no greater feeling than that, and the sisters and brothers at Local 104 in Arizona are 100% behind Florida!” Said Steve Beck.
On behalf of the BBSD division and Director Padellaro, we would like to express our gratitude to all the members of Teamsters Local 104 who stood strong. A special thank you goes to ST Karla Schumann, VP Josh Graves, Russell Medigovich, and Jason Kimley for their unwavering support in this effort!
Douglas Parking in Stanford ready to start negotiations
Teamsters Local 853 members from Douglas Parking in Stanford met today for a proposal meeting and selection of a negotiating committee. The negotiating committee selection is paramount to a successful negotiation. These are the members who will bring your voice to the table.
This group at Douglas Parking is on the front line, transporting hospital staff and people around the hospital. Often, the people that these members transport are going through a traumatic family or personal medical situation, and these members provide safe and reliable transportation throughout the hospital campus. This is important work that entitles them to a strong contract.
We look forward to securing that contract with significant gains and no concessions.
Stay tuned as these negotiations unfold.
Douglas Parking in Stanford ready to start negotiations Read More »
