Brian Fisher

Recently Organized First Student Bus Drivers hold their first proposal meeting and Appoints Negotiating Committee members

Breaking bread with a new Teamster family.

Welcoming new members is a thing to celebrate. What better way to have a first contract proposal meeting than at the Local with the barbecue running and holding it outdoors on a beautiful fall day.

On Saturday, our newly organized group of Bus Drivers at First Student got together, reviewed their survey data on the needs of their group, and began the process of hammering out their first contract.

“We had excellent discussions on many important topics”, said Business Agent Tracy Kelley, ” these drivers have set out to secure their new future, and are quickly building on their unity to secure the strongest possible contract.”

Big thank you to Natalie Dewers and Vanessa Bumbico, who stepped up and will represent the drivers during negotiations.

Recently Organized First Student Bus Drivers hold their first proposal meeting and Appoints Negotiating Committee members Read More »

Strike vote Approved: 853 Teamsters at SYSCO Foods were ground zero, and opened the door to every major food service company in the Bay Area, now they go to the mat again

SYSCO Foods San Francisco. When no other food service industry drivers or warehouse workers wanted to unionize, these members did.

They broke the Union barrier in the Bay Area. And because of their courage those years ago, Performance Food Group followed, Tony’s Fine Foods followed, UNFI followed, US Foods followed, and VISTAR followed.

This group paved the way for so many Teamster 853 members and opened a door to a better life.

Fast-forward to 2025

Now that every major food service company in the Bay Area has workers represented by the Teamsters 853 Union, our unity and size now elevates the entire industry. Really think about what that means. An entire industry. We want to acknowledge the positive impact SYSCO San Francisco has had on so many others. This is the power of that one group who can break the ice for themselves and others.

Sysco Foods Teamsters in SF approve a Strike Vote

This group of members is now approaching their first contract since before COVID-19. Here they are pictured at their first proposal meeting as they approved a strike vote. So just like those many years ago, they are ready to go to the mat to get fairness in their next contract.

SYSCO Foods SF will be negotiating at the table for the first time with its sister companies in Sacramento and Reno. A first-ever for this industry in Northern California and Nevada.

“This is the first-ever multi-location contract for the food industry in Northern CA, and it is a milestone.” Said Teamster Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres, “It’s good for both Teamsters and the company to streamline the negotiation process, which in turn leaves resources otherwise spent on 3 divided negotiations to go right into the pockets of our workers. If done in good faith, it’s a win-win.”

“We are going to take every available opportunity to better the position of our members,” Said Steve Beck Jr., Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer. “The unity we show across San Francisco, and our sister locals in Sacramento and Reno, does this. And because we are so strong and united, this will open doors that normally would be closed for these members.”

Teamsters Local 853 also wants to acknowledge and thank Warehouse Division Vice-President Tom Erickson and the Leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, General President Sean O’Brien, and Fred Zuckerman for offering the top-down guidance to work across multiple geographic locations to get a stronger contract for all members involved.

Stay tuned, and let’s support them as they work their way towards this new contract.

Strike vote Approved: 853 Teamsters at SYSCO Foods were ground zero, and opened the door to every major food service company in the Bay Area, now they go to the mat again Read More »

First Student – San Leandro/San Lorenzo Unified School Bus Drivers – Proposal Meeting and Survey results

First Student – San Leandro/San Lorenzo Unified School Bus Drivers proposal meeting
When: Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Where: Teamsters Local Union 853
7750 Pardee Lane
Oakland, California 94621
Phone: 510-895-8853

SURVEY RESULTS

How long have you been employed with First Student?

“How long have you been a bus driver?”

Benefits and Pay

Non-Economic Benefits

Do you participate in the company’s health care plan?

End of Survey General Comments

"Higher percentage and cost of living raises.
(retro pay from election day)

Medical paid in full for full-time employees.

Continuous pay or options to work/wash buses during the summer instead of getting Unemployment.

Park outs for senior drivers.

Company should put a percentage in for retirement for its employees.

Yearly banquets or monthly employee appreciations that were taken from us.

Personal children of employees are able to ride the bus.

Route beds that are subject to change should have a limit… after the limit, we should be allowed to read bid.

Company uniform will allow Union logo.

Need more pay, we are the lowest paid School Bus drivers.

Medicare part B

I personally don't want park out privileges, the kind where you can take your bus home overnight. Some of the drivers I know well do, so I hope we can work something out for them

Please be sure to attend the meeting. See you there.

Tracy Kelley, Business Agent, Teamsters Local 853

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Pass Faster Labor Contracts Act Introduced in Congress with Bipartisan Support and Teamster Leadership:

On September 16th, the Pass Faster Labor Contracts Act was introduced in Congress with bipartisan support. The two main sponsors are Don Norcross (D-NJ) and Pete Stauber (R-MN).

The legislation will require that companies cannot stall out the negotiations process and will guarantee first-time contracts after organizing victories. Currently, 62% of the time, unions do not reach first agreements.

Teamster drivers from Breakthrough in Florida and Teamster nurses from Michigan described the frustration that comes from dealing with recalcitrant employers with no interest in reaching a settlement. The Faster Labor Contracts Act will hold employers accountable and reward the efforts of members who have the guts to organize.

Pass Faster Labor Contracts Act Introduced in Congress with Bipartisan Support and Teamster Leadership: Read More »

A Bittersweet Day at Teamsters Local 853 – Business Agent Lennie Kuhls Retires After 57 Years.

Business agent Lennie Kuhls is retiring after a whopping 57-year career in Union representation.

Lennie began her union career on September 16, 1968, at just 18 years old with the Lithographers Union, which later became Graphic Communications.

When the union merged into Teamsters Local 853 on December 1, 2006, Lennie continued serving without missing a beat.

Aptly spoken about the members Lennie served, she said, “I was proud to serve all of the members. They were like my second family.”

“Lennie’s knowledge and expertise were tremendously important during the many years of her service, and Local 853 greatly appreciates and respects her efforts.” said Steve Beck, Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer. “Personally, Lennie played a crucial role in my development as a Teamster, and I will always be grateful to her. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, my friend.”

On behalf of the entire Teamsters Local 853, we wholeheartedly thank her for her incredible dedication and service to the members and to this Local. Lennie will be missed.

A Bittersweet Day at Teamsters Local 853 – Business Agent Lennie Kuhls Retires After 57 Years. Read More »