Contracts Archives - Teamsters Local 853

Local 853 Costco Members Ratify Best Contract Yet

On Friday, March 7, Local 853 Costco Teamsters and Costco Teamsters across the country ratified a new three-year contract. The agreement includes wage increases, a twenty-two percent pension increase, premium increases, improved vacation, and, critically, a provision to make it easier to organize non-union employees for enhanced power at the bargaining table.

The approval of the agreement comes after months of arduous negotiations that took place all over the country, as is appropriate for a national agreement. In addition, rallies were held coast to coast, including a practice picket at the Hayward Business Center that brought together members from across Northern California.

Local 853 Costco Teamsters stood up and fought like they always do and ended up with the best contract in retail. Congratulations to all the members who made this win possible.

Local 853 Costco Members Ratify Best Contract Yet Read More »

Genesis Logistics Members stand Unified as contract vote comes in at a perfect 100%

Teamsters at Genesis Logistics have just ratified their new three-year contract. These warehouse workers and drivers have the task of keeping all of the Seven-Eleven convenience stores in the Bay Area stocked. The warehouse picks, preps, and loads, and drivers deliver all the goods to stores as far north as Yuba City, east to Sacramento, and a little south of Fresno.

The contract had no takeaways, meaning nothing was lost from the previous contract. There were significant gains in wages and benefits, as well as increased protections in the language of the contract.

The negotiating committee really deserves credit for keeping the group together,” said Business Agent Efren Alarcon; “the vote was unanimous, and he secured a full recommendation. Special thanks to Steward Pete Hall, Steward Miguel Muñoz, and Steward Trent Rivera. 100% votes is very uncommon and shows the strength of this new three-year contract. Very well done.”

Let’s all get behind these Teamsters for a job well done and for sticking together to secure a strong future.

Pictured from left to right are Michael Vasquez, Driver & Member; Jim Borden, a 31-year Teamster; and 25-year Teamster & Steward Peter Hall.

Genesis Logistics Members stand Unified as contract vote comes in at a perfect 100% Read More »

Teamsters at Bimbo Bakeries, Castroville, in negotiatins for their next conract

Pictured here are just a few of the outstanding Teamsters 853 from Bimbo Bakeries Castroville. Led by Chief Steward Louis, this group is coordinating the charge in their current contract fight. “I am very proud of this group and all of our members at Bimbo. They are refusing to accept anything other than what they deserve.” Said Business Agent David Crawford. “These members serve our community every day and ensure that people have food on their table. Without their dedication and sacrifice, the community they serve would suffer. We owe them our support in this contract fight”.

Stay tuned as this negotiation unfolds!!

Teamsters at Bimbo Bakeries, Castroville, in negotiatins for their next conract Read More »

Genesis Logistics contract negotiations

Teamsters at Genesis Logistics are hard at work hammering out their new contract. These warehouse workers and drivers have the task of keeping all of the Seven-Eleven convenience stores in the Bay Area stocked. The warehouse picks, preps, and loads, and drivers deliver all the goods to stores as far north as Yuba City, east to Sacramento, and a little south of Fresno. These members keep us fueled up when we’re on the road.

Pictured left to right on the negotiating committee are Steward Pete Hall, Steward Miguel Muñoz, and Steward Trent Rivera. Thank you for your hard work and for keeping your members’ needs front and center.

Stay tuned as we report the results. Let’s all give a shout to these Teamsters; go get that good contract!!!

Genesis Logistics contract negotiations Read More »

Small battle, big win for 853 Members at DHL PAO, Sunnyvale

DHL Steward Darren and Business Agent James Long used a grievance along with a potential Unfair Labor Practice charge for bad faith bargaining to stop DHL Sunnyvale from enacting a semi-annual bid that the members did not agree to! After a review and further back and forth between Local 853 and the company, DHL was required to follow a provision in the contract, the 20/60 rule, which then created three new bids.

This was a great win for all the members working at DHL and another example of how a contract and Teamster unity protect workers on the job. Shout out to steward Darren and the rest of the team for making it happen!

💪💪💪 Pictured above is Darren removing the semi-annual bid from the board!

Small battle, big win for 853 Members at DHL PAO, Sunnyvale Read More »

First Transit Stanford Members Stand Unified in Contract Meeting

First Transit Stanford Members met at the San Jose Hall to discuss the current contract negotiations. We discussed a variety of topics, including wage, pension, and vacation increases. We also had a deep discussion on Strike prep, grievance procedures, and the role of a shop steward. Most pressing was the importance of unity among the rank-and-file membership.

“It is of the utmost importance that we move as one unit and continue to support each other through this fight. Without unity and a common goal, our efforts will most certainly fall flat. Having a concise vision of what we are demanding is the very best way to secure what we know we deserve. I am proud of this group for standing up and indicating to the company that our terms are reasonable, attainable, and most importantly justified.” BA David Crawford

First Transit Stanford Members Stand Unified in Contract Meeting Read More »

A well earned Holiday Gift – Premier Recycling Inks first contract at 100% Ratification

Courage, integrity, tenacity, grit, justice, fairness….These are all words that come to mind when speaking about the drivers at Premier Recycling, who, in 2022, voted for union representation. They courageously stood up for their rights in the face of a very combative employer.

So today is a very special day. We are proud to report that the members at Premier Recycling have ratified their first contract at 100%. We couldn’t be more excited to see these drivers get their first contract, their back pay, and a bright future ahead of them. They are the heroes in this story. Grinding it out, day after day, as they put their trust in each other and in Teamsters Local 853. What a holiday gift to everyone who has ever stood up for fairness and integrity on the job.

“Employers should take note when they see their employees organize and step into their offices to address their issues as a collective.” said Premier Steward Ramon Castillo. “Ignoring issues regarding the safety and treatment of the workers is what led us to unionize this company. By no means was this easy, especially when an employer has the money, union busters, and resources to try and exhaust the pro-union supporters into giving up. The more we were told we would never win, the more determined we became with our solidarity.” “True solidarity was these members really standing with us even when all three stewards were removed from the job. Teamster brothers George Ochoa, Ernie DeLatorre, Jose Lopez, Dante Funtila, Rafael Quiniones, Armando Aguilar, Ken Stewart and Albert Velasco. Thank you!!”

This was truly an all-hands-on-deck effort by the entire labor community.

As it proves, time and time again, if you are a company that decides to act in bad faith with a legally formed union group, you will lose. Every time. End of story.

We would like to especially recognize our Premier Recycling stewards, Mike Flores, Alex Obeso, and Ramon Castillo. These members went through extraordinary efforts to build the base on which their membership stood.

We also want to recognize the entire labor community, the JC7, and all the Bay Area Labor Councils and Bay Area Building Trades who stood behind these workers by authorizing picket actions, denouncing Premier Recycling’s anti-union actions, and ending the company’s ability to perform pro-union labor agreements. This kind of pressure on the company was simply undeniable and very taxing.

And would be remiss not to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Business Agents Jesse Casqueiro, James Long, our union attorney Abel Rodriguez, and Teamsters Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres, who graciously stepped in at the eleventh hour to push our negotiations over for the win.

So now that we have a contract in place, we want these Teamsters to thrive on that next contract. That means recognizing that the company came to terms with a union workforce. And it’s now in the interest of all of the above-mentioned parties to support Premier Recycling as a Union entity. We dust ourselves off from our disagreement and support every effort to make Premier a successful business for the sake of our members and good business practices in our communities.

To all the Teamster 853 members at Premier, Happy Holidays!!! Welcome to the fight and to the Teamster family.

Below is just some of the history behind this contract.

400+ Days Since Premier Recycling Voted to Organize as they continue to work towards a first contract. After 3 wrongful layoffs, 1 wrongful termination, and countless hours of picketing, they deserve our respect and support for Staying Strong.

Premier Recycle Members on Strike

Three Premier Recycler members in San Jose who stood up to testify to the San Jose City Council on wage theft.

Teamster 853 Members Make Public Statements & Successfully Convince San Jose City Council

Full Quote from Ramon Castillo, Premier Recycling Steward:

Employers should take note when they see their employees organize and step into their offices to address their issues as a collective. Ignoring those issues regarding the safety and treatment of the workers is what led us to unionize this company. By no means was this easy, especially when an employer has the money, union busters, and resources to try and exhaust the pro-union supporters into giving up. The more we were told we would never win, the more determined we became with our solidarity. Workers were shamed, family’s were effected and livelihoods. In the end, our resilience prevailed. Gracias to the Teamsters Local 853: Steve Beck, Ray Torres, the business agents Pablo Barrera, Jesse Casqueiro, James Long, and union attorney Abel Rodriguez. Another big gracias to San Jose councilman Peter Ortiz for his support. I’m proud to have led this battle with my brothers, Michael Flores and Alex Obeso. Workers look like us too, whether anyone likes it or not. Last but not least thank you to the membership my Teamster brothers George Ochoa, Ernie DeLatorre, Jose Lopez, Dante Funtila, Rafael Quiniones, Armando Aguilar, Ken Stewart and Albert Velasco for their full commitment from beginning to end. I couldn’t have asked for a more solid team. Someone once told us at this company we could get fired for anything because the company wasn’t Union. Thank you because it only motivated us. Contract in place and Si La Hicimos!

Video Created by the Members

A well earned Holiday Gift – Premier Recycling Inks first contract at 100% Ratification 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 »

Golden Brands holds proposal meeting in San Jose

Last weekend, Teamster 853 members of Golden Brands in San Jose held a proposal meeting to discuss their upcoming contract negotiation.

“We are unified and on the right path,” said Teamsters 853 Vice President Ray Torres. “Our members are motivated, involved, and behind their committee; it’s the best way to get a great contract for everyone in the group! I’m proud of each and every member who participated.”

Golden Brands holds proposal meeting in San Jose Read More »

Teamsters 853 hosts barbecue for Costco Teamsters in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Redwood City in preparation for national contract negotiations

Teamster 853 Costco workers in the Bay Area will soon be gearing up for contract negotiations. And what better way to start getting our Costco Teamster family focused and united on this coming contract than a delicious barbecue? Costco has a National contract with thousands of members across the country, and a good way to start getting our Costco Teamster family focused on this coming contract is to have a meal together and discuss strategy. So last week, Teamsters Local 853 served barbecue to our members in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Redwood City.

“When Teamsters are unified, we win big. So, we are bringing our Costco family together to get ready for our upcoming National Contract negotiations.” Said Teamster President Steven Lua. “We’re looking forward to working with our Costco sisters and brothers across the whole country.”

“We come out to these members’ workplaces, serve them food, and talk about the best way to maximize our opportunity in this contract.” Said Teamster Business Agent Cesar Martinez, “It’s a great way to kick things off among a group that is already very strong and focused.”

This was a multi-day affair. Local 853 made sure there were enough staff in attendance to talk to members and help with the barbecue. In attendance were Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck, President Steven Lua, Vice President Ray Torres, Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry, and Business Agents Scott Gonsalves, James Long, Cesar Martinez, Efren Alarcon, Gloria Segura, and Jonathan Pinney.