Member Advocacy

Undivided, undeterred, and stronger than ever, Teamsters Local 853 celebrates our members’ unity

Strikes, protracted negotiations, unfair labor practices, worker exploitation, union busters, and income inequality: being a Teamsters 853 member means taking a stand and taking pride in the struggle to lift each of us up against these forces. There are lists of long-standing practices supported by big money and corporations that are determined to divide and conquer us.

Teamsters Local 853 understands the challenges we face, so we promote and embrace the single most important attribute to overcome all this adversity – our unity! When we speak with the voice of many, we defeat these forces that align against us. It shows in our contract victories, our grievance victories, our strike victories, and so many other day-to-day successes. 

Taking time to break bread, take a breath, and further strengthen our bond.

With all of this hard work, I believe it’s important to press pause and take stock in where we are. Last weekend we did just that. We put aside the work and the battles to recognize our accomplishments and celebrate our unity at our annual membership appreciation event. It was a perfect weekend to celebrate, and I want to congratulate and express my gratitude to every member personally. Whether you could make it out or not, know you are part of a strong family that appreciates everything you do. Your voice matters. Stay engaged by reaching out to a Steward, Business Agent, or fellow member to share your ideas and experiences. Through active participation, we become stronger as a union.

So, on behalf of myself, President Steven Lua, and the entire Teamsters 853 organization, let’s celebrate our unity, and let’s continue to move forward together.

Steve Beck, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer

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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

SYSCO Foods San Francisco. When no other food service industry drivers or warehouse workers wanted to unionize, these members did.

They broke the Union barrier in the Bay Area. And because of their courage those years ago, Performance Food Group followed, Tony’s Fine Foods followed, UNFI followed, US Foods followed, and VISTAR followed.

This group paved the way for so many Teamster 853 members and opened a door to a better life.

Fast-forward to 2025

Now that every major food service company in the Bay Area has workers represented by the Teamsters 853 Union, our unity and size now elevates the entire industry. Really think about what that means. An entire industry. We want to acknowledge the positive impact SYSCO San Francisco has had on so many others. This is the power of that one group who can break the ice for themselves and others.

Sysco Foods Teamsters in SF approve a Strike Vote

This group of members is now approaching their first contract since before COVID-19. Here they are pictured at their first proposal meeting as they approved a strike vote. So just like those many years ago, they are ready to go to the mat to get fairness in their next contract.

SYSCO Foods SF will be negotiating at the table for the first time with its sister companies in Sacramento and Reno. A first-ever for this industry in Northern California and Nevada.

“This is the first-ever multi-location contract for the food industry in Northern CA, and it is a milestone.” Said Teamster Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres, “It’s good for both Teamsters and the company to streamline the negotiation process, which in turn leaves resources otherwise spent on 3 divided negotiations to go right into the pockets of our workers. If done in good faith, it’s a win-win.”

“We are going to take every available opportunity to better the position of our members,” Said Steve Beck Jr., Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer. “The unity we show across San Francisco, and our sister locals in Sacramento and Reno, does this. And because we are so strong and united, this will open doors that normally would be closed for these members.”

Teamsters Local 853 also wants to acknowledge and thank Warehouse Division Vice-President Tom Erickson and the Leadership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, General President Sean O’Brien, and Fred Zuckerman for offering the top-down guidance to work across multiple geographic locations to get a stronger contract for all members involved.

Stay tuned, and let’s support them as they work their way towards this new contract.

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 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.

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Local 853 Saves Teamsters Jobs at Golf Courses in San Francisco

In a multi-month effort, Local 853, in coordination with the SF Building Trades Council, saved sixty jobs from privatization at San Francisco’s city golf courses.
Immediately after last year’s Mayoral election, rumors started circulating about the Rec & Parks Department’s plan to privatize golf in an effort to save money at the cost of sixty jobs. When the budget hit in February, it was in print that the department fully intended to do what had been rumored up to then.
Enter the Teamsters & the Building Trades: Local 853 contacted the Building Trades, and a plan was put together to lobby members of the budget committee. Multiple meetings were set up with the members of the committee and chair Connie Chan. They backed us up 100% and then backed our position in several hearings on the matter. Local 853 and the Trades also met with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff to press our case. At the end of the budget process, Supervisor Chan, with the support of her committee, was able to craft an agreement with the Mayor that saved 60 jobs at the golf courses for Teamsters, Plumbers, Operating Engineers, Electricians, Stationary Engineers, and Laborers.
This campaign goes to show that when you execute a plan with confidence, smarts, and passion, you can fight City Hall!

Rudy Gonzalez (S-T SF Building Trades), Kevin Reavey (Local 853 Chief Steward-Golf RET) & Mike Henneberry (Local 853 Recording Secretary) spearheaded the efforts to save union jobs at golf with the direct involvement of the affected members.

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MV Transportation lays groundwork for strong success in their transition to TransDev

MV transportation members met to discuss their upcoming transition to Transdev. This group is excited to move to a new company and contract, where they can change from the old power dynamic and take a much more active role at their new workplace.

This transition means these members are charting their own path and have a strong voice in the process to succeed.

Paratransit (short for “parallel transit”) is a transportation service designed to accommodate people who cannot use regular fixed-route public transit due to physical, cognitive, or other disabilities. It offers door-to-door or curb-to-curb rides using accessible vans or minibuses. Para-Transit work is simply amazing work done by amazing members. They work hard every day to ensure the most vulnerable members of society are taken care of.

Stay tuned as this unfolds. We encourage every member to speak up and take their place as a contributing member of this transition. Trust each other, trust your Union Representation, and trust your committee. And let’s move forward together.

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50 Years plus of experiece between two leaders inspires confidence to move aggressively forward

Meet Chief Stewards Tayde Rodriguez and Tony Montano at MV Transportation. Together, they have over 50 years of combined experience in the Paratransit industry.

Last month, we met with Transdev to negotiate a transition agreement as their current employer, MV Transportation, lost their bid with the Valley Transportation Authority(VTA).

What would have been an otherwise challenging time for less seasoned leaders, Tayde and Tony’s voices gave levity to the complex challenges that Paratransit Teamsters Local 853 members have been facing over the last few years. The years of dedication that Stewards like Tayde and Tony have put into rising above and helping out their fellow members is selfless work, and we want to recognize their efforts.

“Now our members are excited about the chance to have a fresh start at our San Jose location,” said Business Agent David Crawford. “The opportunity for leaders like Tayde and Tony to sit across the table with the company and chart their carefully thought-out strategy makes us all successful during challenging times. These stewards are an inspiring example of how experience and leadership help motivate all of our members to be invested, informed, and vocal.”

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Business Agent training focuses on involving more and more members to strengthen our Union

Teamsters Local 853 held a mandatory half-day training for all Business Agents. A shout out to IBT Strategic Campaign Coordinator and Teamster 853 Member, Nupur Modi-Parekh. Nupur took the agents through a step-by-step process on how to get more members involved with their union during both crucial times, like contract negotiations preparation, and in everyday addressing of member needs.

“Regardless of your experience level, everyone can learn more from additional training. We would be doing an injustice to the job if we weren’t constantly improving how we serve our members.” Said Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck. “We will be holding more and more training sessions like this to continue to make us better.”

At the training, there was considerable focus on how to draw out and better involve all the members of our union. Every member who decides to get off the sidelines and go to a meeting, help out in their workplace, or learn more about the work we all do is a tremendous success in strengthening our union.

So get involved, go to a member meeting, get on our email list, and talk to your Business Agent or Steward. We need your strength.

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The final chapter closes on ULP charges against Premier Recycling

When an organized group wins a ruling of Unfair Labor Practices(ULP) as the members at Premier Recycling did, by federal law, the company must post and read aloud the below posting at every employment location and during every shift and leave posted for 60 days.

This is the procedure that was followed last week as the company read aloud and posted the below document with Teamsters 853 Business Agent, James Long, 853 Attorney, and NLRB compliance officer present during each shift change at 9 AM /930 AM /10 AM /1030 AM/430 PM.

This is the power of federal laws put in place decades ago to protect workers.

Congratulations to all of the members at Premier who endured three long years for justice. Your group is a model of determination, and on behalf of every Teamster 853 member, we salute your grit.

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