Brian Fisher

California Teamsters Hispanic Caucus Scholarships Available

CALIFORNIA TEAMSTERS HISPANIC CAUCUS WILL AWARD SCHOLARSHIPS TO …

Deserving High School Seniors Graduating this year,

Who are:
  A Daughter or Son of an active Teamster whose dues are current with his/her Local Union;

And are
  Attending or have been accepted by an accredited University, College or Trade School.

Applicants must properly provide:

  1. Proof of Acceptance to their selected University, College or Trade School;
  2. Provide a wallet size photo;
  3. Provide your official High School transcript through the 2024 fall semester;
  4. Secretary-Treasurer from your Local must sign the bottom of the application.

MAIL THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP TO YOUR PARENT’S LOCAL UNION OFFICE.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025

Hispanic Scholarship 2025Download

Applications received after July 25, 2025, or incomplete applications will not be accepted

California Teamsters Hispanic Caucus Scholarships Available Read More »

Business Agent training focuses on involving more and more members to strengthen our Union

Teamsters Local 853 held a mandatory half-day training for all Business Agents. A shout out to IBT Strategic Campaign Coordinator and Teamster 853 Member, Nupur Modi-Parekh. Nupur took the agents through a step-by-step process on how to get more members involved with their union during both crucial times, like contract negotiations preparation, and in everyday addressing of member needs.

“Regardless of your experience level, everyone can learn more from additional training. We would be doing an injustice to the job if we weren’t constantly improving how we serve our members.” Said Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck. “We will be holding more and more training sessions like this to continue to make us better.”

At the training, there was considerable focus on how to draw out and better involve all the members of our union. Every member who decides to get off the sidelines and go to a meeting, help out in their workplace, or learn more about the work we all do is a tremendous success in strengthening our union.

So get involved, go to a member meeting, get on our email list, and talk to your Business Agent or Steward. We need your strength.

Business Agent training focuses on involving more and more members to strengthen our Union Read More »

The final chapter closes on ULP charges against Premier Recycling

When an organized group wins a ruling of Unfair Labor Practices(ULP) as the members at Premier Recycling did, by federal law, the company must post and read aloud the below posting at every employment location and during every shift and leave posted for 60 days.

This is the procedure that was followed last week as the company read aloud and posted the below document with Teamsters 853 Business Agent, James Long, 853 Attorney, and NLRB compliance officer present during each shift change at 9 AM /930 AM /10 AM /1030 AM/430 PM.

This is the power of federal laws put in place decades ago to protect workers.

Congratulations to all of the members at Premier who endured three long years for justice. Your group is a model of determination, and on behalf of every Teamster 853 member, we salute your grit.

The final chapter closes on ULP charges against Premier Recycling Read More »

Drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit unanimously ratify first contract!!!

Big congratulations to the drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit for SamTrans. Last week, they unanimously voted on their first contract after winning their organizing campaign. They received significant pay increases, 401 (k) matching, and improved healthcare. And of course, the most important part, the structure of a union contract, which will protect them on the job both for physical safety and against any unfair labor practices.

On behalf of the entire Teamster 853 organization, we would like to welcome these members to our family.

Drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit unanimously ratify first contract!!! Read More »

Ferguson HVAC Teamsters ratify contract at 100%

The members at Ferguson HVAC had something to celebrate last week as they finished contract negotiations with significant wage increases, significant pension increases, better drive-cam language, and a shortened probationary period and progression for new hires.

What more could you ask for: wages for today, pension for tomorrow, and privacy protection language.

“We identified our points of opportunity, stayed focused and unified, and brought home a win-win contract that was good for our members while giving appropriate respect for the company,” said Ray Torres, Teamster Local 853 Vice President.

Join us in congratulating these Teamster 853 members for a job well done!!!

Ferguson HVAC Teamsters ratify contract at 100% Read More »

Teamsters Local 853 welcomes Center for Community Advocacy to our Teamster 853 Family

One of the incredible things about Teamsters Local 853 is its diversity. We have over 300 different companies that we contract with. There are drivers, warehouse workers, line workers, food services, farming, health care, zookeepers, and the list goes on. This mix, very much like our country, is a melting pot of so many different types of work and workers.

Today, we are welcoming another new group that does some incredible work. They are from the Center for Community Advocacy out of Salinas, CA. They have, for the past 34 years, worked to support and empower farmworkers and their families. They work alongside them to improve living conditions, advocate for affordable housing, and expand access to healthcare and resources. Many of those they help are in our South Bay Teamster community working for the food industry in the Parajo Valley.

So, on behalf of Teamsters Local 853, we would like to welcome Joel, Sabino, and the Center for Community Advocacy to our family.

Teamsters Local 853 welcomes Center for Community Advocacy to our Teamster 853 Family Read More »

Advocates at Latinas Contra Cancer Join Teamsters Local 853

Workers who guide women battling cancer have won a significant victory for themselves. On April 17th, fifteen employees at Latinas Contra Cancer (Latinas Against Cancer) voted to become Teamsters. In a card check election overseen by Jean Cohen from the South Bay Labor Council & Maria Noel Fernandez from Working Partnerships USA it was determined that an overwhelming majority of the employees wanted to join North America’s strongest union. Darcie Green, CEO of the non-profit, was present to observe the process and upon hearing the results of the vote immediately recognized Local 853 as the bargaining agent for the new Teamsters and indicated she was ready to commence negotiations.

“It is a rare day when the union is able to sit down with an employer and with a minimum of BS bring a new group of workers into the Teamsters. It is a testament to the righteousness of the work our new members perform, guiding women through some of the scariest times of their lives and the passion with which the organization is led to accomplish its worthy goals,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. Working together, the union and the company will make a big difference for women dealing with cancer while making sure the new members doing the hard work are secure as well.

Advocates at Latinas Contra Cancer Join Teamsters Local 853 Read More »

Steve Beck, Teamsters 853 Pricipal officer addressed Teamsters from across the country about the challenges facing the liquor industry

During the Unity Conference, Steve Beck, Principal Officer of Local 853 and IBT representative, addressed Teamsters from across the country about the challenges facing the liquor industry. Southern Glazers, RNDC, and Breakthru are currently dealing with issues stemming from Reyes Beer Company, which has taken several liquor brands away from union companies.

Steve Beck emphasized that the loss of major brands from a prominent union company to a non-union company poses an existential threat to our members nationwide. He has issued a call to action to all Union Locals, encouraging them to unite in response to this challenge.

With the backing from Jeff Padellaro (Director, BBSD) and the IBT, we plan to organize Reyes at every level.

Steve Beck, Teamsters 853 Pricipal officer addressed Teamsters from across the country about the challenges facing the liquor industry Read More »

WORK CHANGE: WeDriveU-Applied Materials to ABM

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is this happening:

ABM has been awarded the new contract to provide service to Applied Materials. They have already had a meet-and-greet at Applied Materials campus with many of you. This change is not a reflection of the quality of service, this is about cost. This is not a reflection on you as the providers of the service.

The language of the contract allows you to follow your work under circumstances like this. It protects your seniority when the client changes the provider of the service. These changes are no fault of your own. You have no control of the situation. You would need to start over every time and hope that they hire you. You do not need to start over every time this happens.

When is our last day of Service:

WeDriveU notified all Applied Materials Drivers their last day of providing service at Applied Materials will be April 30. WeDriveu will lay off all drivers who do not remain with the company.

ABM begins service on May 1, 2025.

Drivers Remaining at WeDriveU:

Those drivers that remain at WeDriveU are selected by Yard Seniority, starting with the most senior driver. There are approximately 5-6 positions available at WeDriveU.

Following Work to ABM:

Therefore, those that are not in the seniority group to stay at WeDriveU will need to follow work to ABM to remain employed and to preserve your seniority on account. In addition, preserve your recall rights to return to WeDriveU based on your Yard Seniority.

ABM will coordinate the onboarding process. You will need to apply with ABM to maintain your seniority on the account.

If you decline to follow your work, your seniority will be broken. You no longer have recall rights to return to WeDriveU. You must follow work to retain recall.

What are my Wages and Benefits:

You will continue to be covered under the same terms as the Master Shuttle Agreement. Your wages, benefits, vacation accrual, 401k contributions and sick time will be the same.

Teamster Local 665:

ABM employees are represented by Teamsters Local 665 in many locations. The Local has a long history of representing workers at this company. You will need to complete a Membership Application for Local 665. Florencio “Flo” Sinogui is the Business Agent for the driver of Applied Materials. He can be reached at 415-825-0694. Flo is available to answer questions related to the transition.

WORK CHANGE: WeDriveU-Applied Materials to ABM Read More »

Bus Drivers at Zum School Services-Alameda, Join Teamsters Local 853

Bus drivers at Zum School Services in Alameda—previously a non-union group—have officially joined the Teamster family through their unionized counterparts at Zum in Oakland. This group of 44 current drivers, along with 18 soon-to-be new hires, will now enjoy the benefits of higher wages, lower healthcare costs, strong representation, and a solid grievance process.

Thanks to a signed letter of understanding with the company, the Alameda drivers will now be covered under the existing Oakland agreement as of April 1. Because of this agreement, a formal vote was not required.

We’re proud to welcome these drivers to Teamsters Local 853 and congratulate them on this important step forward!

Pictured are some of the new members filling out their membership applications.

Bus Drivers at Zum School Services-Alameda, Join Teamsters Local 853 Read More »