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Saturday morning, over 130 members of S. Martinelli & Co. gathered to vote on their new agreement. The members secured improvements to both language and economics that led to a ratification vote with an approval of 91%. We got our members what they deserve and then some. This doesn’t mean the fight is over; we are eager to get to the table again in 3 years. It feels good to be able to deliver increases and protections never seen before, but we are always hungry for more. A big congratulations to all our members at S. Martinellis.

“What really helped was that we had a committee member from each department.” Said Teamsters 853 President Steven Lua, “Being able to have representation from each department allowed us to share the experience everyone has working for S. Martinelli in their respective area. The company took all that feedback and came back to the table with much more respect for these employees. I’m very proud to have witnessed our committee step up and do something uncomfortable for the betterment of their fellow sisters and brothers. It was selfless and the Teamster way!!”

Del Mar Foods ratified their new 3-year agreement today with an approval of 98%. This contract improves working conditions and a cumulative wage increase to double the previous agreement. Del Mar Foods members have been classified as essential workers in the food processing industry. Its Teamsters like these members who take extra risks and continue to keep the critical infrastructure operations working for our Country.

“I want to thank our all-female committee.” Said Teamster Local 853 President Steven Lua, “Isabel Ponce and Lorena Delgado are not only committee members but also stepped up as shop stewards. They are now out there not only enforcing the contract but educating their sisters and brothers on their rights. And this kind of effort is what it takes to have a strong union at the workplace.”

Public safety and good-paying Teamster’s jobs are on the line. In light of many public safety incidents that have risen in the past year with autonomous vehicles, Teamsters and aligned politicians this week organized to say we need this law.

This week, Teamsters from all over the Bay Area assembled in Sacramento under the lead of the Joint Council 7 to promote Assembly Bill 2286, which is a common sense approach to stop the unchallenged expansion of the Autonomous Vehicle industry.

Teamsters Local 853 Business Agents Gloria Segura, James Long, Cesar Martinez, and Recording Secretary/Business Agent/Political Director Mike Henneberry, along with Assemblymember Liz Ortega, Representing the 20th California Assembly District, showed up in Sacramento yesterday to support the passage of a new Assembly Bill to protect our communities and jobs from the Autonomous Vehicle industry. The new legislation, AB2286, re-issues the common sense demands of last year’s AB316.

Since Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 316 in September 2023, robot taxis have wreaked havoc on California streets, with one Cruise robotaxi running over a pedestrian in San Francisco and dragging her 20 feet, then leaving her trapped underneath the vehicle.

We must ensure that public safety and good-paying drivers’ jobs are considered when allowing this new AI technology to impact our communities. This bill is common sense. It provides a reasonable road map forward until we have a plan for our safety and our workers.

As election season approaches, we cannot stress enough to encourage your legislators to VOTE YES ON AB2286.

Local Alameda Politician Stands Up for Teamsters 853 Members

For those members who live in District 20, please remember Assembly Member Liz Ortega’s name when it comes time to vote for those who support Teamsters and the cause of working people everywhere in California.

Due to changes in the marketplace, longtime distributor Bottomley will close its doors for good on Friday, February 16th. They have been in business for 59 years in the Bay Area.

You might ask, what are the Teamsters there going to do? Well, luckily, just as these 55 members take off the Bottomley uniform this coming Friday, come this Monday morning, 40 of them will be putting on the Matagrano uniform without any change to their pensions or benefits. The remaining 15 are either retiring or pursuing other options.

We want to wish all of the members a good transition and are so happy that with the large network of employers that Teamsters Local 853 has, we can make the transition as painless as possible.

Hundreds of representatives from Teamsters local unions across the country participated in workshops this week at the annual Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Steve Beck led the liquor meeting as the National IBT Representative. The group has achieved a successful organizing push in the industry, and IBT Locals all over the country have benefited from the division’s success by adding members in warehouse, sales, and drivers.

“It was great to have Mike Pharris, IBT Rep and Secretary-Treasurer Teamsters 166, and Chris Rosell, IBT Director of Organizing, join the panel to discuss the organizing success and political challenges we face in the liquor industry,” said Liquor Chair and 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck. “We build the membership by having a packed room of enthusiastic local leaders willing to share their information, and that’s exactly what we had today.” “Under Director Jeff Padellaro’s guidance, this division is growing exponentially, and we are excited to be a part of that growth.”

Our local Teamsters 853 sisters and brothers benefited with strong gains and great benefits because of the efforts of everyone in this division.

Our monthly member meeting for December is this Thursday, February 8th, at 7 PM. Show up and participate in the events and decisions that affect your Union and workplace.

Time: Doors Close at 7 PM(usually 30-60 min. long)
Where: Teamsters Local Union 853, 7750 Pardee Lane
Oakland, California 94621 - Phone: 510-895-8853

It’s not always the case that to win a fight, you have to bloody someone’s nose. Case in point with PepsiCo brand Gatorade and Teamsters Local 853 members.
Pictured are Gary Hodgson, a 17-year shop steward, and Darryl Carter, an 8-year shop steward for Teamster 853 members at Gatorade. This group meets monthly along with Teamsters Local 853 president Steven Lua for their joint labor-management meeting to review open items and align on the 2024 planned year. This group has worked to create a stronger partnership with Gatorade, a PepsiCo company, and has been able to strengthen their contract because of a mutual understanding of both the Teamster’s and the company’s goals and needs.

Yellow Freight Teamsters Members, here is the latest update published by the IBT regarding the bankruptcy. Please download the original document to review.

On January 17, well over 2,000 union members representing 22 unions gathered out front of SF city hall to demand a just & equitable contract. Teamsters Local 853 was right up front, leading the way shoulder to shoulder with Teamsters Local 856.

Local 853 vac trucks revved up the crowd and got the rally going. They were joined by members of the Teamster horseman and Teamsters from across the city. All union contracts (except for police & fire) expire in June. Local 853 is negotiating in conjunction with the SF Building Trades Council.

Some info about the sea salt that comes from the last American sea salt manufacturer right in our Bay Area backyard in Newark, CA.   

Thanks to Steward John for his leadership and for keeping management in line.

….And swing steward Robert Tapia

Big shout out to the whole Teamster 853 crew at Cargill Salt!!!

Photos and Story by James Long