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Teamster 853 members at Certainteed ratify record breaking offer

Teamsters Local 853 members at Certainteed ratified a new three-year contract with significant gains to wages.

This group followed the recipe for success. They showed a willingness to go to the mat with an authorized strike vote, then stuck together, didn’t let the company divide them, and in the end, through their unity and commitment, got an exceptionally strong contract.

“Standing shoulder to shoulder, these members did Teamters 853 proud.” Said Teamster 853 Vice President and Business Agent Ray Torres. “These members did it right, and a big thank you to the negotiating committee. They are the ones who go above and beyond for their fellow members.”

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Celebrate the holidays now—because when we come back, the gloves are coming off. Teamsters Local 853 is ready to achieve monumental things in 2026.– Steve Beck

Teamsters Local 853 Is Ready for 2026

Because of all of your efforts, Teamsters Local 853 is stronger than ever. In 2026, that strength will be on full display—because the gloves are coming off. The days of “go along to get along” are over. Period. End of story.

Over the past three years, our focus on unity and transparency has defined my administration. Those priorities have lifted us all and brought many more members into active service of our Union. With those in-house fundamentals now in place, it is time to turn outward—to aggressively take the fight to the corporations and politicians who want to take away our security.

2025 was an incredible year for contracts. We won more record-breaking agreements than at any time in our recent past. But if we are going to maintain and build on this success, we must keep pushing.

Why?

We are living in a time of unprecedented wealth inequality in America. The widening canyon between workers and corporate elites is now politically turbocharged. At the same time, AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles are enriching corporations as they look for every way possible to replace workers in the name of greed and profits.

What can you do to join the fight?

The first step is to be active in your Union.

Talk with your fellow members, stewards, and Business Agents. Take an interest. Speak up about what’s happening on the job. Share your experiences to improve your workplace. Be ready to step up and show up when Teamsters Local 853 needs to demonstrate our strength in public.

Cut through the clickbait and hate-baiting in the media. Research then support local and national politicians who truly support workers. Not just by what they say, but by how they vote and what legislation they back to improve our lives. Legislation does not lie. Strong labor laws, like strong contracts, are critical to our long-term security and success. And legislation cannot be faked.

What the 2025 year-end holidays represent

As 2026 approaches, I feel a profound sense of joy, purpose, and confidence in what we have built together. Through your hard work, we have created lives as Teamsters Local 853 members that include the pay, benefits, and protections that give our families breathing room and peace of mind.

So I wish you and your families a happy holiday! Let’s rest up, then gear up—and use our renewed unity to take our fight to the next level. There is nothing we can’t do when we are unified and moving together.

I also want to acknowledge the members who still do not have the security of a contract. Please keep the 250 members at Westlake in your thoughts as they continue to walk the line. They are now in their fifth month on strike, holding firm for their fair share of the pie. Their fight is our fight, and they deserve all of our support and respect.

Thank you for everything you have helped us accomplish over the past three years. The honorable badge of Teamsters Local 853 is the direct result of your unity.

On behalf of myself, President Steven Lua, our Executive Board, and all of our Business Agents: Happy Holidays—and let’s crush it again in 2026.

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

Celebrate the holidays now—because when we come back, the gloves are coming off. Teamsters Local 853 is ready to achieve monumental things in 2026.– Steve Beck Read More »

Teamsters Local 853 holds General Meeting for ZUM Drivers at Oakland Unified School District

Being on the same page, understanding, and supporting a common goal of workplace improvements. These are the reasons it’s important to have general meetings periodically. The more discussions we have, the more prepared and well-informed everyone is so they can act as one voice when action is needed.

Business Agent Tracy Kelley organized and led this general meeting for Zum Drivers at the Oakland Unified School District. He addressed workplace issues in the yard that need to be brought to management’s attention. Some of the more prevalent issues discussed were workers’ comp and modified duty, extra work, safety meetings, training hours, field trips, and ICE enforcement and protocols.

Big shout-out to all the members who showed up to share their thoughts and experiences, and learn more about the challenges that the group faces.

Teamsters Local 853 holds General Meeting for ZUM Drivers at Oakland Unified School District Read More »

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 »

First Student – San Leandro/San Lorenzo Unified School Bus Drivers – Proposal Meeting and Survey results

First Student – San Leandro/San Lorenzo Unified School Bus Drivers proposal meeting
When: Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
Where: Teamsters Local Union 853
7750 Pardee Lane
Oakland, California 94621
Phone: 510-895-8853

SURVEY RESULTS

How long have you been employed with First Student?

“How long have you been a bus driver?”

Benefits and Pay

Non-Economic Benefits

Do you participate in the company’s health care plan?

End of Survey General Comments

"Higher percentage and cost of living raises.
(retro pay from election day)

Medical paid in full for full-time employees.

Continuous pay or options to work/wash buses during the summer instead of getting Unemployment.

Park outs for senior drivers.

Company should put a percentage in for retirement for its employees.

Yearly banquets or monthly employee appreciations that were taken from us.

Personal children of employees are able to ride the bus.

Route beds that are subject to change should have a limit… after the limit, we should be allowed to read bid.

Company uniform will allow Union logo.

Need more pay, we are the lowest paid School Bus drivers.

Medicare part B

I personally don't want park out privileges, the kind where you can take your bus home overnight. Some of the drivers I know well do, so I hope we can work something out for them

Please be sure to attend the meeting. See you there.

Tracy Kelley, Business Agent, Teamsters Local 853

First Student – San Leandro/San Lorenzo Unified School Bus Drivers – Proposal Meeting and Survey results Read More »

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.

Local 853 Saves Teamsters Jobs at Golf Courses in San Francisco Read More »

DRIVE Visits Martinellis – an important way you can support Labor in California and the United States

When you hear that DRIVE is stopping by your workplace, take notice. Last week Beatriz with DRIVE was at S Martinelli & Company, talking with members on the benefits to Labor that DRIVE creates and supports.

Sign up and support if you have the chance. DRIVE is not related to any political party; it only backs and supports Labor-supporting causes and politicians.

🧐 What is DRIVE

The Teamsters DRIVE program—short for Democrat Republican Independent Voter Education—is our union’s political action committee (PAC). It’s a voluntary fund, separate from dues, where members contribute (often around $1/week) to support political engagement and advocacy that results in furthering positive labor-related laws.

🗳️ What DRIVE Does

  • Educates members on political issues and the voting records of legislators.
  • Registers voters and runs get-out-the-vote campaigns at grassroots levels.
  • Supports candidates (non-partisanly) who back labor-friendly policies, and opposes anti-worker politicians.
  • Organizes advocacy efforts, such as rallies, phone banks, mailings, and precinct-level outreach.

💪 Impact Today

  • DRIVE is arguably the largest PAC program of its kind in the U.S., entirely funded by voluntary member contributions.
  • Funds are utilized in everything from voter education and registration to campaign support and legislative lobbying—all aimed at protecting Teamster interests like job security, benefits, and labor rights.

DRIVE Visits Martinellis – an important way you can support Labor in California and the United States Read More »

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.

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