2026 JC7 Baseball Game
2026 JC7 Baseball Game Read More »
Member Info
2nd Harvest Food Bank Silicon Valley holds company wide OPS learning day
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley hosted a company-wide Operations Learning Day for all employees at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits in San Jose.
As part of the program, all union-represented employees attended a dedicated session featuring representatives from the Teamsters Assistance Program (TAP) and the Teamsters Health & Welfare program. Thank you to Christopher Dunn (TAP) and Dominic Sangiacomo (Health & Welfare) for providing an overview of available member resources and benefits, including how to access support services and navigate coverage-related questions.
The session also provided time to review current union matters, raise questions, and ensure members had clear, up-to-date information on workplace issues affecting the bargaining unit.
2nd Harvest Food Bank Silicon Valley holds company wide OPS learning day Read More »
JC7 Teamsters Contribute over $30,000 to the family of Teamster’s Local 853 member Juan Jacobo who tragically passed away on the job at US Foods
Nothing can remove the suffering that the family of Juan Jacobo must endure due to the tragic accident that took Juan away from his family, friends, and coworkers. The only thing that can be done to ease the journey is to rally around his family and support them in any way possible.
So when Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck sent out the call to the JC7 community to support Juan’s family, our larger Teamster family answered. Within a day of the call, JC7 Teamsters Locals had made donations to Juan’s family in the sum of over $30,000. This, in addition to the $10,000 in benefits given to dues paying members will help Juan’s family at least not worry about money for a little while.
Our larger Teamster JC7 family also supported by sending out the call to attend a candlelight vigil held in Juan’s honor at the worksite.
“We cannot replace Brother Jacobo, but we can try to ease the tragedy his family is enduring,” said Teamsters 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck, “Juan’s family saw something powerful: their family grew, as Teamsters Locals from across the region showed up in solidarity. That is what it means to be part of the Teamsters family. On behalf of every Teamsters Local 853 member, I want to acknowledge and thank all those Locals who contributed to this most important cause.
60‑Day Extension extended for 17,000 drivers with Legal Address Outside of California – Non-Domicile CDL Suspensions Update
CA DMV update for non-domiciled / limited-term CDL(California Driver’s License) & CLP(California Learner’s Permit) holders
California DMV has stopped issuing non-domiciled CLPs/CDLs after a federal compliance finding. This means if your legal permanent residence is not in California, you are likely subject to this ruling.
On December 30th, 2025, the DMV extended 17,000 cancellations to the close of business on March 6, 2026
If you’re affected, DMV will send you a letter/email.
Your non-domiciled CDL(California Driver’s License) & CLP(California Learner’s Permit) application may be cancelled, and some non-domiciled CDLs may be cancelled (others may remain valid until expiration).
Do not ignore your letter.
DMV says if your CDL is cancelled, your regular (noncommercial) license may also be cancelled, meaning you can’t legally drive a personal car until you apply for a noncommercial license.
DMV’s stated next steps (fee waived with your letter):
- If you do not have U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, apply for a noncommercial license by your letter deadline.
- If you do have U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, apply for a compliant CDL by your letter deadline.
Contact the DMV phone: (916) 306-5153 . For office visits, make an appointment and complete an online application prior to your appointment.
More Information
For more information about the newly imposed federal requirements, visit fmcsa.dot.gov.
Federal Congressman Mike Thomson stands with Teamsters at Westlake, interviens to expedite resolution
The last time a Teamsters Local 853 strike was elevated to a political level, the company’s revenues were reduced by 50% in less than a year. We can only hope Westlake does not choose this self-inflicted path.
Less than three years ago, another Bay Area company decided to stand firm against striking Teamster 853 members; the results were devastating to the company. A reduction in revenue by 50% as political pressure ensued, government contracts were removed, messaging to local businesses ramped up, and overall goodwill for the company dissolved in the community. So when the company was faced with trying to survive another year at 50%, or give in to the strike, they made the obvious choice. Back pay was awarded, wrongful termination settlements were paid, ULP charges were compensated, and a fair contract was put in place to secure the workers’ future.
A complete waste of time and effort where the company lost big, just to fight an unwinnable battle. The mistake they made was thinking that the striking workers themselves were the only bullet in the gun. But in California, the strike is the bullet in the chamber, and there are 10 more in the clip.
Ultimately, companies only care about their bottom line. Make money for your shareholders by all legal means.
So now we move to the language of currency, as we stand on the simple principle of fairness for exploited Californian workers. California has real teeth as it takes care of its workers, and its politicians will fire the next bullet in the chamber.
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.
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.
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
