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👉 Last month, Teamsters Local 853 welcomed a new group of 40 bus drivers from a company called First Student out of San Leandro, CA. It was the result of a collective effort between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters(IBT), the Joint Council 7, and Teamsters Local 853. A Teamster victory that we would like to tell you a little more about.

While many of us enjoy our Union jobs, some may not understand the work that goes into organizing a group of workers who want to vote ‘yes’ for a union.

And those of us who have been through it know all too well how grueling and hard it can be for potential members.

🥳 We celebrate the members who win with joy and exuberance, because the members are the ones who had the courage to step out of their comfort zone and strike out for something better and truly life-changing.

But this is about the behind-the-scenes coordination that takes place on every organizing campaign. It is never ever as simple as a group of workers getting together and voting.

😖 While that wasn’t the case with First Student because of a National Neutrality Agreement, in many workplaces, the moment a Union vote is announced and certified by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the company will quickly bring in union busters. These union busters have one purpose: to prevent workers from unionizing by deceiving and intimidating them throughout the entire campaign. They plant seeds of doubt with lies and deceptions, full stop. And those tiny seeds of doubt can derail an otherwise well-intentioned group of workers who just want a union contract for a better life.

It takes a group of professionals to successfully deliver the truth to workers who are in a Union campaign. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort.

Business Agent Tracy Kelley, who represents and supports nearly 1,100 members in the bus driver division (including dispatchers, vehicle cleaners, reservationists, and warehouse workers), partnered with IBT/JC7 organizers Adam Padilla, Allison Calistro-Yazzie, Aurellio Mendoza, Maria Ambriz, and Alejandro Negrete in their support of these potential members.

💪 The organizers dedicated weeks to in-person one-on-one conversations, group meetings, emails, and text messages—ensuring that First Student bus drivers stayed informed with the truth and energized about Union representation.

Their efforts paid off with a resounding 29–6 “YES” vote. An overwhelming margin rarely seen. Because of these efforts, this will be a very well-educated and motivated addition to our Teamster 853 family.

So Teamsters Local 853 proudly recognizes the outstanding efforts of this group. Their dedication and selfless support of our Local made a meaningful difference, and we are grateful for their hard work.

“This group’s hustle on the First Student organizing drive was Teamsters-level good. Their contribution made Teamsters Local 853 stronger as a local, and was a model of cooperation between our Local and the IBT and JC7.” said Stephen Beck, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. “Because of their effort, I can congratulate our newest brothers and sisters for standing up for what they deserve,” “These drivers ensure that our kids get to and from school safely. And now they will be treated with respect they deserve, with a fair contract that reflects their importance within the community.”

📣 Special shout-out to Organizer Allison Calistro-Yazzie, who was the lead and ran a beautiful campaign. A campaign that Allison attributes to all the dedicated drivers that “drove” a message amongst their co-workers that the need for change has long been past due.

Pictured from left to right: Organizer Aurellio Mendoza, Susana Perez, Organizer Maria Ambriz, First Student Driver Vanessa Bumbrico, Organizer Adam Padilla, Organizer Allison Calistro-Yazzie, and Business Agent Tracy Kelley 

One of the incredible things about Teamsters Local 853 is its diversity. We have over 300 different companies that we contract with. There are drivers, warehouse workers, line workers, food services, farming, health care, zookeepers, and the list goes on. This mix, very much like our country, is a melting pot of so many different types of work and workers.

Today, we are welcoming another new group that does some incredible work. They are from the Center for Community Advocacy out of Salinas, CA. They have, for the past 34 years, worked to support and empower farmworkers and their families. They work alongside them to improve living conditions, advocate for affordable housing, and expand access to healthcare and resources. Many of those they help are in our South Bay Teamster community working for the food industry in the Parajo Valley.

So, on behalf of Teamsters Local 853, we would like to welcome Joel, Sabino, and the Center for Community Advocacy to our family.

Workers who guide women battling cancer have won a significant victory for themselves. On April 17th, fifteen employees at Latinas Contra Cancer (Latinas Against Cancer) voted to become Teamsters. In a card check election overseen by Jean Cohen from the South Bay Labor Council & Maria Noel Fernandez from Working Partnerships USA it was determined that an overwhelming majority of the employees wanted to join North America’s strongest union. Darcie Green, CEO of the non-profit, was present to observe the process and upon hearing the results of the vote immediately recognized Local 853 as the bargaining agent for the new Teamsters and indicated she was ready to commence negotiations.

“It is a rare day when the union is able to sit down with an employer and with a minimum of BS bring a new group of workers into the Teamsters. It is a testament to the righteousness of the work our new members perform, guiding women through some of the scariest times of their lives and the passion with which the organization is led to accomplish its worthy goals,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853. Working together, the union and the company will make a big difference for women dealing with cancer while making sure the new members doing the hard work are secure as well.

To all Teamster 853 members,

Please join us in welcoming our newest members, who just today voted to join our ranks.

These 29 drivers at VISTAR voted to join Teamsters Local 853, and were solid from start to finish. We are looking forward to getting them the wages, benefits, and job protections they have earned on the job. And in return, we feel this energetic, solid group will be great members, and a great addition to our Teamster family.

“A model of determination and unity, this group has shown courage from the very beginning,” said Teamsters Local 853 Vice President Ray Torres, “They stood up to the Union Buster and to corporate greed. I couldn’t be prouder of how they came together as one and simply knocked it out of the park!”

“When organizing a group, one of the first things we gauge is the group’s enthusiasm and determination. When we started with this group at VISTAR, they were already acting like Teamsters.” Said Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck, “They were banded together and determined to act as one unit from the first day. And it showed in their overwhelming vote to unionize. All they needed was a little direction and guidance; they already had the rest wrapped up. I’m impressed, proud, and excited to have this group join our 853 family.”  

Please join us in welcoming them!!!!