Union Business

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.

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 Read More »

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.

Federal Congressman Mike Thomson stands with Teamsters at Westlake, interviens to expedite resolution 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 »

Job Opportunities within Teamsters Local 853 – Check Back Frequently – new posting will be added at the top of this page

GILLIG Assembler of Heavy-Duty Transit Buses

 Assembler Req. 859 job posting is live and accepting applications again.

Hourly Rate: 
$37.84 per hour

You can view the posting here:  https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/gillig/jobs/6620992

Members with CDL with Passenger Endorsement and/or Air Brake Endorsement (Need all credentials when they apply)

WeDriveU, Inc.

Apply at WeDriveU.com

Pay Ranges:
CDL Passenger and Air Brake Endorsement
$34.89 -$36.22, Current
$36.03 – $37.40, Effective July 1, 2025

CDL Passenger Endorsement without Air Brake Endorsement
$30.91, Current
$31.92, Effective July 1, 2025

Class C
$28.26, Current
$29.17, Effective July 1, 2025

Teamsters Managed healthcare – Kaiser
401K, A $4.00 contribution per hours up to 2080 hrs., and a 4% Match
12 Paid Holidays, 1 Floating Holiday

Hallcon Corporation

Apply at Hallcon.com

Pay Ranges:
CDL Passenger and Air Brake Endorsement
$34.89 -$36.22, Current
$36.03 – $37.40, Effective July 1, 2025

CDL Passenger Endorsement without Air Brake Endorsement
$30.91, Current
$31.92, Effective July 1, 2025

Class C
$28.26, Current
$29.17 Effective July 1, 2025

Teamsters Managed healthcare – Kaiser
401K, A $4.00 contribution per hours up to 2080 hrs., and a 4% Match
12 Paid Holidays, 1 Floating Holiday

Members with a CDL without Passenger Endorsement, with or without Air Brake Endorsement.

Transdev North America – SFMTA Paratransit – San Francisco

Apply at transdevna.com

Scott Hollis HR Manager, 530-276-6593

Pay Ranges:
Starting Pay Rate: $26.15, Current. Effective July 1, 2025, $26.70

Company Benefits at low cost
Paid Holidays
401K Matching

Transdev North America – Eastbay Paratransit – Alameda County

Apply at transdevna.com
Antoinette Harris, Operations Manager, 510-379-6196

Pay Ranges:
Starting Pay Rate: 
$26.00, Current. Effective July 1, 2025, $26.65

Teamsters Managed Healthcare - Kaiser
Paid Holidays
401K Matching

Zum School Services – Oakland and Alameda Unified School District

Apply at ridezum.com

Leslie Jordon, Operations Manager, 510-355-2076

Starting Pay Rate: 
$31.05 currently, effective August 1, 2025, $32.80

Drivers can be experience rates with a tenure of School Bus Certification. With a School Bus Certificate for the last five years, the starting pay rate is $40.37 currently. Effective August 1, 2025 $42.12.
Non-commercial (Class C) starting rate $26.52 currently, effective August 1, 2025 $26.67.

Paid Training
Five hours Guarantee
401k Matching

Storer Transit Systems – Hayward Unified School District

Apply at Storerbus.com

Christina Mestayer, General Manager, 510-931-1089

Starting Pay Rate: 
$30.21 currently, effective July 1, 2025 $30.81

Drivers can be experience rates with a tenure of School Bus Certification. With a School Bus Certificate for the last five years, the starting pay rate is $39.54 currently. Effective July 1, 2025 $40.33.

Non-commercial (Class C) starting rate $26.00 currently, effective July 1  2025 $26.52.

Paid Training
Five and half hour Guarantee
401k Matching
Paid Holidays

First Student – San Jose (School Bus and Charter)

Apply at Firststudentinc.com

Bertha Chavez, Location Manager, 408-421-5847

Starting Pay Rate: 
$32.36 currently, effective September 1, 2025 $33.49

Drivers can be experience rates with a tenure of School Bus Certification. With a School Bus Certificate for the last five years, the starting pay rate is $38.00 currently. Effective September 1, 2025 $39.33

Air Brake Premium $2.00 per hour

Paid Training
Six hour Guarantee
401k Matching
Paid Holidays

Opportunities at Canteen

From: Escamilla, Angelica Angelica.Escamilla@compass-usa.com
Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 4:00 PM
To: Ross, Kathleen kathleen.ross@compass-usa.com; Lyle Funderburk lfunderburk@Teamsters853.org
Subject: Re: [Ext] [External] Job Openings

Hi guys,

Here are the links to open positions within our branch:

Mechanic (i.e. technician)
https://jobs.compassgroupcareers.com/job-invite/1421473/

Order Builder (San Leandro)
https://jobs.compassgroupcareers.com/job-invite/1416789/

Order Builder (Fremont)
https://jobs.compassgroupcareers.com/job-invite/1421813/


www.canteen.com

Angelica Escamilla | Office Manager
m. 510-391-0193 | angelica.escamilla@compass-usa.com
Bay Area Vending and Markets | Compass Group NA

Job Opportunities within Teamsters Local 853 – Check Back Frequently – new posting will be added at the top of this page Read More »

Transdev Member Rights Document and Contract Update

Transdev is holding back the pre-ratified contract because of language that has been accepted across the country. They want you to give up your right to No Strike and No Lockout language in your contract.

No Strike and No Lockout language is one of the fundamental tools Teamsters use when all other options to get the company to treat you fairly have been exhausted. It is a lynchpin that holds basic Union rights together.

As the bargaining representatives for Ride Plus members, we will continue to press for this crucial language in your contract with the company, and nationally, all eyes are on your group. Please be aware of your rights as explained in the following attachments, and stand strong against this attempt to gut your rights.

Stay tuned for further communications.


Stay tuned for further communications.

Contact me at any time if you want to discuss further at:
Cell: 415-425-3439
Email: tkelley@teamsters853.org

Tracy Kelley

Business Representative and Organizer
Teamsters Local 853

Transdev Member Rights Document and Contract Update Read More »

Raffle to attend the 2025 Teamsters Women’s Conference in Toronto

The Teamsters Women’s Conference is an annual event organized by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) to empower, educate, and unite women across the union. It serves as a platform for Teamster women to connect, share experiences, and develop leadership skills that strengthen their roles within the labor movement.

Purpose and Goals

The conference aims to:

  • Foster Leadership: Encourage women to take on leadership roles within their locals and the broader union structure.Teamsters Canada
  • Provide Education: Offer workshops and training sessions on topics such as workplace rights, organizing strategies, and personal development.
  • Build Solidarity: Create a supportive network where Teamster women can collaborate and advocate for common goals.
  • Address Challenges: Discuss and develop strategies to overcome issues faced by women in the workforce and within the union.

Teamsters 853 Applicants

Teamsters Local 853 is doing something different as they choose which women members will represent Teamsters Local 853 in Toronto this year.

We will be offering a digital raffle-style drawing because we have many deserving members who want to attend every year, so we decided this was the fairest way to make this event accessible to all members who qualify.

Applicants are to fill out the form below. Our trustees will hold a drawing video to announce the winners, which will be sent to all of the applicants.

** Participation is only available to members who have NEVER attended a Teamsters Women's Conference in the past.
** Applicants MUST have a valid passport.
** Canada is very strict regarding criminal records.  Even if you have a misdemeanor on your record, you will be denied.
** Please note, Teamsters Local 853 will not fund any extra days beyond the conference.  Should you choose to stay, all costs must be incurred by the member.

Dates and Schedule

The Teamsters 2025 Women’s Conference is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, through Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. 

Sunday, August 24, 2025
Travel Day, Registration, and Exhibits 

Monday, August 25, 2025
Registration, Exhibits, afternoon opening, General Session, and evening Welcome Reception 

Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Registration, Exhibits, and Workshops

Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Registration, Workshops, and Closing General Session

Raffle to attend the 2025 Teamsters Women’s Conference in Toronto Read More »

Drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit unanimously ratify first contract!!!

Big congratulations to the drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit for SamTrans. Last week, they unanimously voted on their first contract after winning their organizing campaign. They received significant pay increases, 401 (k) matching, and improved healthcare. And of course, the most important part, the structure of a union contract, which will protect them on the job both for physical safety and against any unfair labor practices.

On behalf of the entire Teamster 853 organization, we would like to welcome these members to our family.

Drivers at Transdev – Ride Plus Microtransit unanimously ratify first contract!!! Read More »