Brian Fisher

Not so fast, Tony’s Fine Foods, we will take our jobs back with full back pay and benefits

Aurelio Mendoza and Ivan Gonzalez are Tony’s Fine Foods stewards who were instrumental in moving the organizing drive forward for their group. So when this group voted UNION YES, what did the company do? They tried to terminate the employment of Aurelio and Ivan on some trumped-up charges. How surprising.

Under the law, this is called retaliation, and it is illegal in the United States.

So despite the company’s best efforts to intimidate these members, we are happy to announce that, yes, the law is on our side. And with the help of Teamsters Local 853 under the guidance of Vice President Ray Torres, Aurelio and Ivan are both back to work with full back pay and back benefits.

And as a general rule, if you are an employer and illegally terminate key union members who also sit on the contract negotiating committee, you have just made extremely motivated enemies of the company. And they are going to bring that energy to the negotiating table and the company will pay the price for such an abuse of power.

Not so fast, Tony’s Fine Foods, we will take our jobs back with full back pay and benefits Read More »

Former 853 member, Carlos Reyes, sends us a message from SOCAL: 853 at heart and always sporting my 853 gear

Former 853 member Carlos Reyes from Cresco Labs is now in Southern California after Cresco Labs shut its doors. He sent us a message this morning from SOCAL as he supports Teamsters Local 952 Amazon Picket, saying, “I’m always 853 at heart and always sporting my 853 gear”.

Carlos recently helped organize his company, which delivers for DHL in southern California. A big shoutout to him for being a true Teamster, dedicated to improving the lives of working people up and down the state!

Former 853 member, Carlos Reyes, sends us a message from SOCAL: 853 at heart and always sporting my 853 gear Read More »

Niko Glafkides was awarded one of Three 853 Scholarships this Summer

“This is one happy kiddo.  Please let everyone know how thankful our family is for the scholarship.” wrote Niko’s mom, Stacie.

Niko Glafkides took home a $500 scholarship from Teamsters Local 853 for his first year attending Boise State. Niko, the son of Gillig employee Dennis Glafkides, wrote a paper on the importance of Labor Unions. Niko has a very unique and real-world perspective on the importance of Unions, as he is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Union members. Yes, three previous generations, all Union members.

“Scholarships are a great opportunity for the local to celebrate and support our members’ children’s future. This year, Teamsters Local 853 decided to give out three scholarships to further these students’ education,”  said Teamster President Steven Lua. “It’s a high point in our summer.”

So join us in congratulating Niko and wishing him the best of luck in his freshman year.

Niko Glafkides was awarded one of Three 853 Scholarships this Summer Read More »

Vern Gonsalves Retires After Long Local 853 Career & He’ll Still Serve

July 31, 1978 that’s when Vern Gonsalve’s odyssey with Local 853 began. Originally employed by Wesco in San Leandro Vern subsequently worked out of the union hall at the Safeway spice plant, Allied Sysco and Macy’s. Then he hit a home run and got hired on under Local 853’s jurisdiction at Gillig in Hayward. He’s been there ever since, up to his retirement in July. 

Throughout the changes he’s experienced since that July in 1978, kids, grandkids, advances in technology, a relocation of the Gillig plant to Livermore one constant that was always there was Local 853. And that’s why, in retirement, he’s not going away. “Whenever the union needs me, picket lines, rallies, bbq’s whatever the need is I’ll be there. We have achieved a lot together over the years and we have to fight to maintain what we’ve won.”

Good luck in retirement, Vern; we know we’ll see you around!

Pictured at the Gillig plant in Livermore attending Vern’s retirement celebration: Eric Vancil steward, Robert Terry steward, new retiree Vern Gonsalves, Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry, Lupe Pinedo steward and Lyle Funderburk, steward.

Vern Gonsalves Retires After Long Local 853 Career & He’ll Still Serve Read More »

Eduardo Garcia Gomez – Shop Steward for Bimbo, Concord Center

Sisters and Brothers,

Pictured here is Eduardo Garcia Gomez, Shop Steward at Bimbo, Concord Center.

Eddie is also on the negotiating committee for the import/express contract fight that we are currently engaged in. All the stewards on the committee, like Eddie, provide critical insight into the inner workings of their particular industry. Without their input, we would not be able to properly engage and support the membership.

Hats off to all the stewards here at Bimbo; they knock it out day after day, representing the rank and file, and are dedicated to ensuring that all the Bimbo Members get a strong contract.

Eduardo Garcia Gomez – Shop Steward for Bimbo, Concord Center Read More »

The Perks of Being a Union Member – Family Leave for Newborns

If you are a parent and work a full-time job, then you know what I am about to say. The incredible toll a family newborn takes can only be described as an overwhelming blessing that requires all hands on deck. Teamster Nabil Al-Zoqari from Laz Parking is soon to be the father to a newborn and is preparing for that time by scheduling time off from work. Time that he is entitled to take because of the (FMLA)Family Medical Leave Act.

So last week, Nabil and his steward, Ghebreyesus, met with Business Agent James Long and Laz Parking to make sure it was clear to the company that Nabil wanted to claim some of his FMLA leave. Without union support and representation, workers at non-union companies might not even know that the FMLA exists or would not have the confidence to exercise this option. FMLA entitles workers to take up to 12 weeks off for medical-related life events like childbirth.

This is an example of the everyday work Teamsters do for its members. Helping you navigate the ups and downs of life, like the birth of a child.

So join us as we congratulate Nabil on his newborn child and wish him well in those first critical weeks when that little baby needs to be surrounded by mom and dad.

History of the Federal Medical Leave Act

Prior to 1993, governments and legislators were not up to speed on the new nuclear family. Mom doesn’t stay home any more, both parents work full time jobs, and having a child was seen by many corporations as an impediment to their bottom line profitability. Workers couldn’t take leave for newborns or other medical circumstances without facing the threat of termination.

However, in 1993, under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, the Family Medical Leave Act was voted by Congress and signed into law. Almost entirely driven by democratic Senators and Congressmen, this legislation prevented corporations from terminating employees wishing to take leave for medical reasons or, in this case, a newborn baby and gave them this protection for up to 12 weeks.

It is this law that keeps Nabil and other Teamsters safe from the threat of termination when faced with a life-changing medical event.

The Perks of Being a Union Member – Family Leave for Newborns Read More »

Transdev Stanford 853 members hold a proposal meeting for their upcoming contract.

Pictured are Teamsters Members from Transdev Stanford. These bus drivers are of the utmost importance to Stanford’s students and staff around the campus. They provide excellent service and safety and are a prime representation of what 853 Teamsters do.

This week, we held a proposal meeting to discuss their upcoming contract fight.


“The goal of these meetings is not just to discuss contract language and negotiations but to connect with our membership on a human level. To bridge the gap between rank and file members and their representatives.” Said Teamsters 853 Business Agent, David Crawford

Stay tuned for the results of this negotiation.

Transdev Stanford 853 members hold a proposal meeting for their upcoming contract. Read More »

Let’s welcome back Tony’s Fine Foods as they start negotiating their first contact

These Teamsters at Tony’s Fine Foods are breaking ground and pushing new boundaries in their first contract negotiations. They are drivers working in four states; California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Working towards a master contract to cover them all.

“This group is special because Tony’s Fine Foods was once a union company nationwide, and many years ago, they lost their way. Now they have found their way back to the protection and work justice that they deserve,” said Teamster Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres.

And so they work together dilligently between these four states to lock down a contract that represents the fair pay and benefits that they are due, and a return to the Union work that took care of them so many years ago.
Stay Tuned, Sisters and Brothers, and watch this space. More to come.

Let’s welcome back Tony’s Fine Foods as they start negotiating their first contact Read More »

Teamsters 853 Transdev Stanford shop steward Kris Vegas

Pictured here is Transdev Stanford shop steward Kris Vegas. Kris is the voice for the rank and file at the Stanford Transdev location. His skills in contract enforcement and communication with the members, as well as management, are the key to success in the workplace. “We are lucky to have Kris working side by side with the union and members.” Said Business Agent David Crawford

Many members don’t realize all the hard work that goes into the role of being a shop steward. These members know the contract, protect their fellow workers, and are the go-to between the union and the company, which is vital to keeping a solid working relationship in place between workers and the company. Big shout out to Kris and other Teamster 853 stewards for going above and beyond.

Teamsters 853 Transdev Stanford shop steward Kris Vegas Read More »