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A Bittersweet Day at Teamsters Local 853 – Business Agent Lennie Kuhls Retires After 57 Years.

Business agent Lennie Kuhls is retiring after a whopping 57-year career in Union representation.

Lennie began her union career on September 16, 1968, at just 18 years old with the Lithographers Union, which later became Graphic Communications.

When the union merged into Teamsters Local 853 on December 1, 2006, Lennie continued serving without missing a beat.

Aptly spoken about the members Lennie served, she said, “I was proud to serve all of the members. They were like my second family.”

“Lennie’s knowledge and expertise were tremendously important during the many years of her service, and Local 853 greatly appreciates and respects her efforts.” said Steve Beck, Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer. “Personally, Lennie played a crucial role in my development as a Teamster, and I will always be grateful to her. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, my friend.”

On behalf of the entire Teamsters Local 853, we wholeheartedly thank her for her incredible dedication and service to the members and to this Local. Lennie will be missed.

A Bittersweet Day at Teamsters Local 853 – Business Agent Lennie Kuhls Retires After 57 Years. 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 »

What Does the Union Do For Me Anyway?

These are drivers from Mosaic Global Transportation and inter-campus drivers from Meta.

Due to the way the corporation has set up its business to maximize profits at workers’ expense, Meta and other companies rehire different driver companies roughly every year. If these members did not have a union contract with language to keep their standing and seniority, they would have to start over each time Meta chose a new company.

Without Union Representation

That’s right; imagine if you had to move to a new company every year and lose your seniority, pay scale, and benefits. This is a reality of employment outside of Union work.

With Union Representation

With the Union, these drivers have a career; without it, they would just be starting over every time the company hired a new driving contractor.

Real-world careers are built and protected.

As an example, these members followed their work from WeDriveU to Mosaic last year in March. Meta has now awarded the work back to WeDriveU. Seriously, it’s like a yo-yo. It will be exactly one year since the last transition.

This has happened ten(10) times since 2019 at a dizzying pace – and each time Teamsters 853 members are protected.

Compass to WeDriveU - Tesla,
Compass to WeDriveU - Genentech, 
Compass to WeDriveU - Netflix;
WeDriveU to Hallcon - Amazon, 
WeDriveU to Storer - Meta Coach, 
WeDriveU - Meta Inter campus to Mosaic; 
Hallcon to Mosaic -Meta Coach; 
Mosaic to WeDriveU - Meta inter campus, 
Mosaic to Hallcon - Meta Coach; 
Storer to Hallcon and 
WeDriveU -Meta Coach.

The contract language in the master shuttle agreement protects the drivers every time one contractor loses a client to another; they do not have to start over. Having a career in this industry would frankly be impossible without the Union. It’s also a clear example of how corporations have set rules that would destroy an employee’s chance at a career and only focus on maximizing profits for the corporation.

This is what the union does for the members. Day in and day out, 24-7, in every industry we serve. Protect the interest of the workers it serves.

Content and Story provided by Business Agent Tracy Kelley

What Does the Union Do For Me Anyway? Read More »

Teamsters Local 853 secures 1.3 Million dollars in back pay for UNFI Drivers

After three years of battling for our members at UNFI, Teamsters Local 853 secured an incredible win for its members. Due to a contract violation over wage rates, Business Agent and Vice President Ray Torres enforced the merits of the agreement, arguing that significant back pay was due to these members. The company did not agree that they had violated the collective bargaining agreement, and so began a three-year grievance that ultimately resulted in arbitration.

Three long years later, after considerable back and forth, argument, and counter-argument, a decision that ruled in the favor of the Union was reached. The drivers at UNFI were victorious and secured a whopping 1.3 Million dollars in back pay.

This is a great example of why Unions are so important. Without the protection of a contract and the Local Union watching out for its members, that 1.3 Million dollars would never have been given to the workers who are entitled to it.

“It’s not about the size of the win.” Said Teamsters Local 853 President Steven Lua; “all wins, big and small, are important because they give justice to those who are impacted. Our members work hard for their money, and it’s our job to hold the company accountable to the agreements that we bargain.”

Congratulations to the UNFI workers who waited patiently and trusted their Union Leaders to get them what they deserve. Teamsters Local 853 will always have your backs and couldn’t be happier to get this win.

Teamsters Local 853 secures 1.3 Million dollars in back pay for UNFI Drivers Read More »

We shouldn’t forget how many Teamsters were on the front line during the pandemic, like these members at Bimbo Bakery

Pictured here are the hard-working Teamsters members of Bimbo Bakeries In Sunnyvale. While this building may not have the numbers or get all of the glory that larger buildings get, they provide an essential service to the community. It is often forgotten that during the pandemic, these dedicated members were out on the front lines, making sure that the shelves in your local supermarket were fully stocked.

At a time when uncertainty and unrest were at an all-time high, these Teamsters members stayed vigilant and focused on their jobs, all while knowing that their health and safety were at risk. So next time you are out and about, and you happen to see one of these drivers, thank them and remember that they are an important part of the food provided to this country.

We shouldn’t forget how many Teamsters were on the front line during the pandemic, like these members at Bimbo Bakery Read More »

Golden Brands in San Jose ratifies new four-year contract at overwhelming 98% approval!

This week Golden Brands in San Jose enjoyed the fruits of their labor. They prepared well, participated greatly throughout the entire proposal process, and stuck together. And the end result is a whopping 98% approval vote for this new four-year contract.

“The stewards, negotiating committee, and all of the Golden Brands members who put their effort into this negotiation deserve the credit for a very well-run effort,” Said Vice-President Ray Torres, “this is how we win, be smart, prepare, and stick together.”

Golden Brands in San Jose ratifies new four-year contract at overwhelming 98% approval! Read More »