Brian Fisher

Alex Nakano, son of RNDC Teamster 853 member Kurt Nakano, was presented with the JC7 Scholarship this year at our September monthly meeting. Alex was selected as the winning recipient after providing his most recent education transcripts, extracurricular and community activities, and an essay he wrote on  “The Importance of Labor Unions.”

Pictured with Alex are his parents, Kurt and Diana, and his old and younger brothers, Victor and Alex, respectively, along with Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck and President Steven Lua.

This is always a bright spot in our year,” Said Teamsters 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck. “It’s a nice position to represent an organization that cares for its members and provides opportunities for their children to further their education.”

Labor Fun Fact: Did you know that San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s higher education was partially funded by her Uncle, who was a Teamster? Yes, it’s true, Mayor London Breed might not be where she is today without the support structure that the Teamsters provided her.

Can we please give a big shout-out to our Watsonville Community Hospital Teamsters 853 members? They are gearing up for contract negotiations. This upcoming contract is important as it is the first time they bargain since COVID.

The city of Watsonville depends on these hard-working members who were at the front line of the pandemic, putting the health and safety of others ahead of their own, every day for over two years. 👉 It’s time to be treated and paid like the heroes that they are.

Teamsters 853 Member Ali Shabana (in vest) was laid off in June 2016 when Laz took over parking management at Kaiser, Oakland.  Laz rehired him four months later without recognizing his original seniority date of 2012. So Ali has been forced to BID with lower seniority.  

When Ali brought his circumstances to his Business Agent, James Long, they threatened a grievance against Laz.   The company then agreed to reinstate his correct seniority. Ali is now enjoying his new Bid shift.  His friend, Shokey Aliwoig(also pictured), assisted us as an interpreter during the process.   

This is an example of how things work with Teamsters Local 853 members. If you have been unjustly treated on the job, you have a voice, and we will make sure that the letter of the contract is being followed and defend you and your rights.  When Teamsters fight, Teamsters win!

853 Teamster members from two employers unexpectedly connected last week in a goodwill effort to package thousands of pounds of food for the underprivileged.

Props to Teamster 853 members from RNDC Liquors and their employer for giving members a paid day to go to another Teamster 853 company, Second Harvest. There, they worked their day to package 13,282 pounds of food to be distributed to various sites that Second Harvest serves. Their efforts resulted in 2,200 packaged meals!

Being a Teamster means you are in a family that takes care of each other and the communities that we live and work in. RNDC is a family-owned business and Second Harvest is a company whose mission is to end hunger in our communities. The Teamster 853 members who volunteered to do this work deserve recognition for making our communities better with their efforts.

Keep it up, sisters and brothers, we are all a community and you are making the world a better place.

Recognition to those Members from RNDC who made it happen - 2,200 Meals Packaged in one day!!

Ryan Rangel
Danny Gonzalez
Josie Maravillo
Jason Mickelson
Adrian Fernandez
Martin Rodriguez
Luis Del Rio
Israel Martinez
Francis Nieves
Tony Oliveri

Sisters and Brothers,

In four days, the Teamsters have a monumental opportunity to push back hard against corporate greed at a State Level. AB316 protects Teamster Jobs, makes streets safer, and puts corporate greed in check.

If you are not working this Tuesday, please join our rally in Sacramento to deliver a message to Governor Newsom to sign this bill.

We now have buses available in several locations that are leaving early Tuesday morning. Show up, jump on, wear Teamster 853 clothing, and let’s do this!!

Please click the links below and sign up to make sure your seat is saved for you.

East Bay
7 AM: Dublin - IBEW Local 595 Hall - 6250 Village Pkwy #205
8 AM: Martinez - Teamsters Local 315 Hall, 2727 Alhambra Ave
8:45 AM: Fairfield - Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 - 4350 Central Pl

San Francisco
8AM: the Bill Graham Auditorium, San Francisco

North Valley
7:30 am: NVLF Office (417 7th St. Modesto)
8am: Teamsters Local 439 (1531 E Fremont St. #5 Stockton).

Our monthly member meeting for September is this Thursday, September 14th. Show up and participate in the events and decisions that affect your Union and workplace.
Time: Doors Close at 7 PM(usually 30-60 min. long)
Where: Teamsters Local Union 853, 7750 Pardee Lane
Oakland, California 94621 – Phone: 510-895-8853