Brian Fisher

👉 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