Contracts Archives - Teamsters Local 853

The richest, and first-ever, regional contract in the country; SYSCO Foods ratifies a four-year contract

Teamsters Local 853 members at SYSCO Foods in San Francisco were ground zero for the industry—the first food-service group in the Bay Area to unionize. Their stand set the tone for many others. Since that first SYSCO contract, UNFI, Tony’s Fine Foods, VISTAR, US Foods, and Performance Food Group have all come under contract with Teamsters Local 853.

So when these 853 members came up on its first contract since COVID, they were ready to set another record, a record befitting their place in union history in the Bay Area.

Their first step was commitment as a unified group. In September, they authorized a strike if needed.

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

A win-win regional contract approach

Before negotiations commenced, SYSCO in Reno and Sacramento were also coming up on the expiration of their contracts. And so Teamsters Local 853, 137, and 533 banded together, under the guidance of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, to pursue the first regional contract that would cover all three locals. This is a classic win-win for all involved. For the Teamsters, the greater our numbers, the more leverage and authority we have to seek improvements for our members. SYSCO also wins, having one group to bargain with, thereby reducing the potential disruptions of three complex union contracts working separately to secure three separate contracts.

The sticking points

There were many sticking points on the way. Job safety was a paramount issue identified during negotiations that almost derailed the contract. Also, a show of force to go to the mat was organized after their strike authorization vote.

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set

SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract

Then, a first vote was held after Safety concerns were addressed and incorporated into the contract. 👎 But the first vote did not pass. 👎 There were still some wage issues that were not satisfactory. So the company asked to get back to the table to revisit wages.

Success

👍The second vote passed by a more than 2 to 1 margin. 👍 The result! The richest and first regional contract in the Country. All because this groundbreaking group pushed the company to its limits, was confident in their demands, and stayed unified to get it.

“I’m very proud of what SYSCO Teamsters accomplished with this contract,” said Teamsters Vice President and Business Agent Ray Torres. “I felt honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with these members during this groundbreaking contract.” “I hope these members fully recognize the unity, determination, and communication it took to put it together.”

“This is a great win for these members who have seen so much over their years of service,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 853. “To know that they have worked hard for what they wanted, fought hard, and achieved their goal is the Teamster way.”

The credit goes to the entire team

Shout out to the members of the negotiating committee who kept everyone unified. Thank you to those who give all that extra effort for their coworkers. Andy Gonzalez, Joe Silva, Reggie Knighten, Rod Melfati, and Marco Ornelas.

Finally, BIG shouts out to: Tom Erickson, IBT director of the Warehouse Division, who helped guide us through this multi-local contract, Russ Butler, principal officer of Teamsters Local 137 in Sacramento, and to Chris Fuqua, Vice president of Teamsters Local 533 in Reno, Nevada. It was an incredible team effort.

The richest, and first-ever, regional contract in the country; SYSCO Foods ratifies a four-year contract Read More »

Steeler Inc. ratifies new contract at 100% YES VOTE

🏢 Building the products that build the world.

📣 Big shout-out to these Teamster 853 members from Steeler Inc. These members at Steeler build the metal stud framing that goes into millions of square feet of construction. Our homes, buildings, and skyscrapers.

👉 Last week, they ratified their new contract at 100%. This unanimous vote secured good wage increases, increased sick leave, and PPO. Special thanks and mention to Steward Juan Rubio, who put in the time during negotiations to hit a home run for his fellow members.

Steeler Inc. ratifies new contract at 100% YES VOTE Read More »

Challenge Dairies Teamsters Ratify new contract at 96% yes vote

We see the trucks everywhere and signs everywhere. The Northern California butter that lines the shelves of most grocery stores across America. A name synonymous with quality. There is a reason why this quality product continues to be the industry leader it is, and that reason is Teamsters 853 workers.

Because of their work and dedication on the job, Challenge enjoys the reputation it does year after year.

And this year was the year when all that hard work paid off with a very good contract.

For the next three years, these Teamsters 853 members have secured the pay, benefits, and protections commensurate with the work they put in. The new language has a strong pay increase, an increase in pension, and additional vacation pay on top of the already very strong previous contract.

Big shout-out to the members who were part of the process, who expressed their opinions and voted with their voices. And most importantly, thanks to Steward Dave Carlson, who also sat on the negotiating committee and kept members well informed and unified on a strong contract.

Challenge Dairies Teamsters Ratify new contract at 96% yes vote Read More »

Safeway Milk Plant Teamsters Ratify new contract at whopping 95% yes vote – best contract in memory

As some of the senior members at the Safeway Milk Plant stated, “This is the best contract we have ever had”.

Teamsters 853 members had another great contract ratification this month. After a fairly long and drawn-out set of negotiations, these members walked away with what is arguably being called the best contract ever negotiated for this group.

This contract was considerable. It included an enhanced bonus structure, a strong wage increase, increased contributions to the pension, health and welfare increases, the first-time addition of the QC workers under the contract who now will receive Teamsters Medical and Pension, the addition of office members to the Teamsters medical, improvements to sick leave, bidding, and union business language.

Congratulations to our members for their focus and unity. And thank you to stewards and negotiators—Billy Mitchell, Rich Finkas, Dennis Corchuchia, Michael Frisch, Obed Mora, and Alex Assefa. Your stewardship and contract work exemplify Teamster excellence. Without your leadership, none of this would be possible.

Safeway Milk Plant Teamsters Ratify new contract at whopping 95% yes vote – best contract in memory Read More »

Student Transportation of America Members Ratify Strong 4-Year Agreement – w/First Time Pension

Student Transportation of America Teamsters have voted to ratify a new four-year contract that delivers meaningful gains in pay, benefits, and protections.

Wage increase was significant, they secured a first-time ever pension contribution, added holidays and sick days, significant health care coverage upgrade, added very important strike language to the contract, and added additional progressive discipline language that more accurately reflects a fairer process.

Of particular importance was the first-ever pension, which makes this important job a more secure long-term career move.

“This group did a great job staying unified and securing improvements that really matter in both day-to-day and long-term on-the-job protections,” said Business Agent James Long. “Big shout out to all the members who participated, lent their voice, and especially those who stepped up for their fellow workers, Stewards Robert and Kelli, who also served on the negotiating committee.”

“These members do the crucially important work of transporting the children in our communities safely to and from school.” Said Steve Beck, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary Treasurer. “By securing a pension along with all of the other improvements of this contract, these members are being recognized for the truly important work they do in our communities. “

Student Transportation of America Members Ratify Strong 4-Year Agreement – w/First Time Pension Read More »

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations

🔥🔥 On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set!!

Sysco has less than one week left to present a fair contract offer to more than 400 drivers and warehouse workers represented by Teamsters Local 853.

👉 Teamster workers are demanding that the multibillion-dollar food service giant address serious safety concerns and deliver wages, benefits, and working conditions that meet or exceed the standards already set by Teamsters at other Bay Area food service companies.

Last week at the negotiating table, they did not take our appeals for safety changes on the job. So we asked some drivers to send us pictures of unsafe loads and conditions, and in just a few days, we already have all of these photos. If you have ever done the job, you know what these photos represent. Dangerous on-the-job situations are happening too frequently.

⏰ So we all wait for the company to get it together and treat the ones who make them successful in a fair and dignified way in the workplace.

“Our drivers and warehouse workers need safety on the job. Daily, they face a whole host of problematic shipments that they are forced to load and deliver, even when they know that some are unsafe,” said Teamster 853 Vice President and Business Agent Ray Torres. “There must be a change in the contract language to empower these workers to have authority over their own safety.”

Across the West Coast, over 1,000 other Sysco Teamsters – including members of Local 137 in Sacramento, Local 162 in Portland, and Local 533 in Reno – are also approaching contract deadlines. If Sysco fails to reach an agreement with its workers, the company could soon face a major labor dispute.

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations Read More »

SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract

SYSCO Foods Teamsters were out in force on an early Monday morning at 3 AM at SYSCO Foods to show their solidarity as they negotiate for a new contract. They authorized a vote two weeks ago to strike if needed, and now they are boots on the ground in an early morning huddle focused on their mental preparation for the upcoming contract fight. Determination and grit.

This is their first contract since before COVID-19. They are ready to go to the mat to get fairness in this next contract.

Hoping for the best case; which is being treated fairly at the table.

But preparing for the worst with a full understanding that sometimes you have to fight like heck just for a fair shot.

SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract Read More »

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 »

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 »

VISTAR Ratified Super First Contract

VISTAR, one of the Teamsters 853’s new groups, which had one of the strongest Union Drives in recent history, has proven that a strong group with strong unity always wins the day.

Today, they ratified a monster first contract with substantial wage increases, decreased health costs by 50%, daily OT, seniority bidding, paid administrative leave, and the protection of a Teamsters 853 contract that will secure a healthy future with all of the job protections it provides.

Teamsters Local 853 Vice-President Ray Torres said, “I am so proud of these members, they started unified and strong and finished unified and strong, and did everything right in the middle.”

Congratulations to these members on their first contract!!!

VISTAR Ratified Super First Contract Read More »