Organizing

VISTAR Drivers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join Teamsters Local 853

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!!!!

VISTAR Drivers Vote Overwhelmingly to Join Teamsters Local 853 Read More »

Lux Bus Drivers Welcome to a better future for you and your family

This is Tracy Kelley from Teamsters Local 853. Congratulations on taking the first step to a better future. And welcome to the battle between you, the Lux Bus drivers, and the big business trying to stop you from getting the benefits and pay you deserve for the work you do.

We want to recognize you and encourage you to speak out and reach for something better at your job. Many of you have invested years of service at Lux Bus, and you deserve more. Now is your chance to speak out.  Rule number one: Give yourself a voice at this job.

It has come to our attention that Lux Bus has employed a common tactic by hiring a high-priced Union Buster company to help with their anti-worker, anti-union campaign against you.

So, I’m sure by now you may feel confused, doubtful, and maybe a little scared about unions. That’s their job. To create fear and make you doubt yourself so you don’t vote YES.

So, we want to set the record straight and give you the correct information to make an informed decision about how you can secure a much better future for you and your family.

Meeting Notice

We are having an in-person meeting next week on Saturday, October 5th, at our San Jose Union Hall at 10 AM at 1452 North Fourth Street, San Jose, CA 95112.

Here are some things we will discuss at the meeting.

  • You’re being paid below the prevailing wage for the work you do.
  • Your health care is too expensive and not compensated at nearly the level that Union companies get in your field.
  • Your retirement 401K and pension options are not up to industry standard; this is very uncommon.
  • Why has Lux Bus put you behind the 8-ball and strung you out for three years without a raise – this would not ever happen with a Union Contract.

We don’t want to overwhelm you, so I will say just please attend the meeting on October 5th. We can really dive into these deficits you are in and how we can get you the pay, benefits, and job protections you rightly deserve for the work you do.

Please watch your email and texts; we will send you more information a few more times before the meeting to give you more understanding and background of this life-changing decision you are embarking on.

Those of us who work this job have seen how Unions have made the lives of so many workers better, and it’s our mission to bring this success to as many working people as we can.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time if you have questions or concerns.  My cell number is ‭+1 (415) 425-3439‬,  or you can email me at tkelley@teamsters853.org. I am available to you.

Respectfully,

Tracy Kelley,

Teamsters Local 853

Lux Bus Drivers Welcome to a better future for you and your family Read More »

Teamster 853 union officials support Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and Congressman Adam Schiff and the Recent NLRB ruling for Amazon workers

Amazon. The company has grown so fast that no single organization or government agency has been able to keep up. Among the large transport and delivery companies like UPS, FedEx, and DHL, Amazon is widely known for providing their drivers and warehouse workers with wages and benefits below industry standards.

Consequently, all eyes are on the Teamsters organization nationally as they prosecute the case to organize this industry juggernaut.

One of the major ways Amazon has been able to get around paying their employees prevailing wages and benefits is by hiding behind subcontractors. Amazon contracts with smaller delivery companies established specifically to deliver for Amazon, but since these smaller companies are considered contract workers, Amazon is not required to consider them direct employees, and the job protections that come with this arrangement.

Recent NLRB Bombshell Ruling in Favor of Amazon Workers

President Biden’s appointed NLRB board has recently ruled that Amazon’s sleight-of-hand workaround is no longer legally binding to hide behind. In a recent ruling, the NLRB(National Labor Relations Board) has said that regardless of the middleman contract worker status, Unions can now treat these subcontractors as direct employees of Amazon and, therefore, can pursue organizing from a much stronger position for these workers.

So when the Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and Congressman Adam Schiff did a joint media event to mark this new ruling, Teamsters Local 853 answered the call.
Teamsters 853 President Steven Lua, Vice President Ray Torres, and Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry joined them to show our support for these Amazon workers and this larger national strategy.

The importance of bringing equity and fairness to such a large part of the warehouse and delivery community in the United States cannot be understated. These workers deserve better, and the Teamsters are fighting to bring it to them.

Stay tuned to this space as we bring you more updates on the progress of this very significant initiative and how it will impact the Amazon workers right here in the Bay Area.

Teamster 853 union officials support Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien and Congressman Adam Schiff and the Recent NLRB ruling for Amazon workers Read More »

US FOODS in Livermore enter into their first contract negotiations

Now, it’s time for the payoff. These members voted to Unionize just a couple of months ago, and now are bringing their A-game to the negotiating table.

“Stay unified, trust your committee and guidance from the Local,” said Teamster Vice President Ray Torres.

On behalf of every member and staff at Teamsters Local 853, we are watching; you have our support; make us proud, get that good contract, and change the lives of you and your coworkers for the better!!

Stay tuned to this space as we report back to you on the results of their efforts.

US FOODS in Livermore enter into their first contract negotiations Read More »

Teamster 853 Business Agents and union officials fly to Virginia to show our support for the Teamster’s effort to organize Costco locations nationwide

This month, in Virginia, COSTCO employees did something no COSTCO location has done in 20 years. They voted to join the Teamsters.

Nationally, many workers at COSTCO believe that the corporate culture has been changing for the worse. This change has made it more difficult to get good jobs with good benefits at COSTCO. So, the only option workers have to improve their situation is to begin to organize at COSCOs around the nation.

Enter Teamsters Local 853. Our local represents a large segment of COSTCO employees in California and we wanted to show our support for the success Sean O’Brien and Teamsters Local 822 had in their organizing drive. This event has become the spark that will light the fire at COSTCO locations nationwide. It is a rallying cry for all those workers who need representation.

Vice President Ray Torres, Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry, and Business Agent Cesar Martinez from Local 853 were present to show support and meet with others, including Sean O’Brien, to discuss organizing COSTCO locations around the country in more granular terms.

Stay tuned to this space as we bring you more updates on the progress of this very significant initiative.

Teamster 853 Business Agents and union officials fly to Virginia to show our support for the Teamster’s effort to organize Costco locations nationwide Read More »

It’s Official! US Foods Drivers Vote “Union Yes” and Join Teamsters Local 853

Unions are in an endless battle, fighting corporations to secure fair wages and benefits for the workers who make those companies successful. Corporations are experts at keeping every penny of profits, and unions have to go to the mat every time to get workers their fair share of their contribution.

Today, Teamsters Local 853 would like to congratulate the US Foods drivers who were able to see beyond the corporations’ tactics as they voted today to join our Union. Without their trust in us and each other, this would not have been possible.

“These drivers were receiving confusing and misleading information from their employer,” Said Teamsters Vice-president Ray Torres, “and they have been seeing their peer drivers at other companies receive better pay and benefits, and so they stuck together today and voted for a better future! I’m proud of these members.”

“We enthusiastically welcome these members to our Teamster family,” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 853. “Now we can start the process of getting these members a great contract.”

THANK YOU, TEAMSTERS, NATIONALLY

Teamsters Local 853 would also like to recognize and thank Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, Vice-President Tom Erickson, and IBT Organizing Director Chris Rosell, all of whom supported our organizing efforts.

THANK YOU TEAMSTERS LOCAL 104

Most importantly, we want to recognize the efforts of Teamsters Local 104 in Phoenix, Arizona, who sent these drivers endless support videos from their US Foods members and stewards and Teamsters Local 104 Staff. Without your critical support, we may not have been successful. We recognize the extra effort you made without any tangible benefit to yourselves.

“This was truly a community effort by our Sisters and Brothers from many places in the country,” said Steve Beck. “That’s what being a Teamster is all about.”

It’s Official! US Foods Drivers Vote “Union Yes” and Join Teamsters Local 853 Read More »

Performance Food Group Livermore – Take it from those PFG Members who know – stick together, Hold the line and Your lives will change for the better!

PFG Gilroy Members Who Just Voted To Unionize Have a Message for PFG in Livermore.

PFG members from Teamsters Local 863 in New Jersey have a message for PFG Livermore.

Soldier on and keep up the fight. Don’t believe these Union Busters; they will tell you anything they need to in an attempt to divide you and collect their pay from PFG.

In Union,

Your Teamster brothers and sisters, far and wide, who are in the fight with you!!

Performance Food Group Livermore – Take it from those PFG Members who know – stick together, Hold the line and Your lives will change for the better! Read More »

DHL in Sunnyvale Rally Big to Support DHL CVG workers in Ohio and Kentucky

In a world where Corporations spend huge amounts of money and time to aggressively prevent workers from unionizing, Unions have a secret weapon. The truth. The truth that Unions provide better wages, benefits, working conditions, and safety for workers in just about every industry across the Country.

But Unions don’t have the millions to go dollar for dollar against these union busters. But we do have the ability to tell the truth, spoken by those who know: the workers who do the jobs.

That’s exactly what DHL workers in Sunnyvale did yesterday at a rally to support over 1000 non-union DHL workers in Ohio and Kentucky who have an upcoming union vote.

When we say that Teamsters 853 members need to be involved in the Union process, this is what we mean. Simply hearing from members that wear the same DHL uniform that Union is better for their future will give those workers the confidence they need to vote UNION YES!

The below messages were sent to those 1000+ members.

Thank you, DHL Sunnyvale, for stepping up for these workers.

DHL in Sunnyvale Rally Big to Support DHL CVG workers in Ohio and Kentucky Read More »

853 Teamsters from UNFI, Pepsi, UPS, Costco, Recology,RNDC, Grief and many others show up to rally around Performance Food Group Members on their decision to unionize.

Our brothers and sisters at PFG, who have taken up the fight to organize, met their Teamster Local 853 Union family yesterday outside their facility. Supporters and members from all over the area, including the Gilroy City Council, South Bay Labor Council, representatives from Assemblymember Robert Rivas’s office, Pepsi, Central, UPS, Costco, Recology, Grief, RNDC, and many others, stopped by in full support!

“The company has seen who they are dealing with and knows these members are not hiding. PFG EMPLOYEES HAVE CHOSEN, and It is now time for the company to accept the future!” said Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer and principal officer of Teamsters Local 853. “The future where their employees will be TEAMSTERS!!”

853 Teamsters from UNFI, Pepsi, UPS, Costco, Recology,RNDC, Grief and many others show up to rally around Performance Food Group Members on their decision to unionize. Read More »

UNFI Drivers Bust the Union Buster’s Lies Being told at Performance Food Group(PFG)

Performance Food Group drivers in Gilroy. Your vote is on April 6th. We understand that your company has hired some professional union busters to come in and create doubt and fear in your minds that a Union will not benefit you.

Performance Food Group nationally is extremely anti-Union and will never give you a fair deal as long as they hold all the cards. Without a Union, you are divided and conquerable. It’s an old strategy that works, to divide and conquer. In a Union, we have power because we speak with one voice undivided.

Don’t believe the union-busting hype! Vote to unionize and you will be securing a better future for you and your family.

We heard the Union Busters claim that UNFI in Gilroy was unhappy with their Union. Well, we asked the UNFI drivers.

Who do you trust?

Are you happy with your Teamsters Contract?
A message from UNFI to the Union Busters at PFG
Union Members Have a voice and are protected

UNFI Drivers Bust the Union Buster’s Lies Being told at Performance Food Group(PFG) Read More »