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Douglas Parking, Oakland, Teamsters Members 853 Contract

Douglas Parking in Jack London Square, Oakland, Unanimously Ratify 3-Year Contract.

Local 853 members at Douglas Parking in Jack London Square Oakland unanimously ratified a new three year agreement. “The contract includes solid wage increases, improvements in health and welfare, additional holidays, widening of the bargaining unit, and enhanced retirement security,” said Business Agent and Recording Secretary Mike Henneberry. “Douglas JLS Local 853 members get the job done for the public and each other!”

Douglas Parking in Jack London Square, Oakland, Unanimously Ratify 3-Year Contract. Read More »

Premier Recycle Members on Strike

Can you spare time to show up and support your fellow members on their strike?

After voting to unionize a year ago, Premier Recycle drivers’ negotiations have been met with stall tactics, their safety and grievance concerns remain ignored, there is unwarranted surveillance, and a general environment of hostility to these drivers. So today, they start their strike.

And we are asking you to help. Show up and support their picket line. If you are in the South Bay today, stop by and give them your time and your support.

Watch this space for updates.

Where and When:

Premier Recycle
348 Phelan Ave.
San Jose, CA
Starts May 10th
Anytime after 3am

Premier Recycle Members on Strike Read More »

In a Hard fought battle, PFG Drivers in Gilroy gave a lot worse then they got and prevailed. They voted to Unionize!!

“Performance Food Group didn’t pull any punches against their drivers. They hired union busters, intimidated and threatened drivers, and terminated employees.” Said Ray Torres, Vice President of Teamsters Local 853. “But in the end, these drivers understood the value of sticking together and successfully voted to unionize. We now look forward to getting these drivers the contract they deserve.”

Teamsters Local 853 has strategically focused on Performance Food Groups as they are the second largest food delivery company in the United States, only behind Sysco.

The leadership of Teamsters Local 853 has been closely following and supporting these efforts along with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. There are many more PFG workers who could benefit greatly from unionizing, and Teamsters Local 853 is on the march to secure those workers’ jobs.

“PFG workers were determined to win representation with Local 853. They were united from the start and only grew stronger as their campaign progressed,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “PFG workers are part of a growing movement for workers in the warehouse industry. They stood strong and fought back against this anti-union employer and won big. This victory shows that when workers stick together and take a stand, there’s nothing they can’t accomplish.”

Congratulations to all of the PFG drivers who voted to take control of their future.

In a Hard fought battle, PFG Drivers in Gilroy gave a lot worse then they got and prevailed. They voted to Unionize!! Read More »

UPS NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE – April 14TH

UPS Teamsters Sisters and Brothers,

The Nor Cal Committee met with the company this week for the third and final round of negotiations prior to the start of National negotiations. The session ended on 4/14/23 with no real movement. The company was given a history lesson on the origin and intent of long-standing language. The company’s committee has nobody on their side of the table with any bargaining history. They respond to our concerns with what they “believe” the language means. We don’t believe what the language means; we know what the language means!  

The Company continues to sidestep on making any progress on resolving issues that they create. Unresolved issues include but are not limited to, seniority issues, grievance procedure, pay issues, workweeks, ice machines and employee health and safety. Reallocation of funds isn’t going to cut it for a company that posts record profits in the billions each year. 

The Nor Cal Committee has no patience in the company’s shell game negotiating tactics. “NOT INTERESTED” seems to be the mantra for the company. They are “NOT INTERESTED” in providing accurate seniority lists, “NOT INTERESTED” in providing ice. The company has made it loud and clear they are “NOT INTERESTED” in a contract. 

UPS NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE – April 14TH Read More »

Teamsters International Vice President Tom Erickson shows support for Workers at PFG Gilroy

Teamsters Internation Vice President Tom Erickson gave a strong shout-out to the Performance Food Groups workers in Gilroy, California, in support of their unionizing vote. Steve Beck, Ray Torres, and the entire staff at Teamsters Local 853 were also commended for the work they are doing.

It takes this kind of support to make sure our newest Sisters and Brothers have the backing to get in there and fight hard for a great contract.

Let’s go PFG workers, fight hard for your future!!!

Teamsters International Vice President Tom Erickson shows support for Workers at PFG Gilroy Read More »

In a heated battle, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien call out senator for being a greedy CEO

Sisters and Brothers, In the battle for labor rights, there are two sides.

On our side, Unions fight to provide workers with good living wages and benefits for the work they do. On the other side are the employers and corporations that tirelessly pursue the exploitation of workers. Reducing wages and benefits so that they can make more profits for their owners.

This week, these two forces went head-to-head at Senator Bernie Sander’s hearing on Union-busting. Millionaire Republican Senator & business owner Markwayne Mullin questions Teamsters President Sean O’Brien. Senator Mullin used his time to air typical union-busting talking points. Implying that Unions are not needed because employers treat their employees so well.

The Players

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, a fourth-generation Teamster, has tirelessly battled for workers and their rights since the age of 18. Sean was present and being questioned by Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, whose reported net worth is between $31.6 million to $75.6 million.

Watch Sean O’Brien call out senator Mullin for being a greedy CEO. Mullin claimed his salary was 50K a year. So how did he become a multi-millionaire?

Senator Mullin refused to engage in any meaningful dialog, instead expressing a laundry list of common Union-busting playbook points. At one point, Sean O’Brien called the Senator on his out-of-line, union-busting rhetoric, and the Senator got so frustrated he told Sean “you need to shut your mouth”. Watch below.

Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, whose reported net worth is between $31.6 million to $75.6 million, claims he only paid himself $50,000 year. Mullin, at the hearing, claimed he started his career with “nothing” or “less than nothing.” His version of “nothing” was to take over his father’s plumbing business which had six employees at the time.

Watch Senator Mullin state that inheriting a six-person company from his dad was starting with “less than nothing.” How many workers would have loved to have senator Mullin’s version of “nothing”? His entitled perspective shows how out of touch he is with the circumstances of everyday workers in America.

Watch Senator Mullin use grossly inaccurate data to justify his anti-Union line of inquiry and watch O’Brien call him on it.

It’s up to all of us to fight back. How? Be an active member & get involved.

Sisters and Brothers, it is important to take the lessons from this incident and always understand that if we don’t remain active and vigilant against employers, they will always have politicians like Senator Mullin and Lobbyists working endlessly to strip you of the good paying jobs and benefits we have fought so hard for.

Self-righteous businessmen like Senator Mullin and other millionaire businessmen will always feel entitled to take what they want from their employees. They don’t want you to unionize because it gives workers the power to fight on equal footing with employers who would otherwise hold all the power.

Be as active as possible in our Union; we need your participation to strengthen us as we continue the fight for Union members everywhere.

Please help our fight and share this post with any Union sisters and brothers or Union-friendly people.

In a heated battle, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien call out senator for being a greedy CEO Read More »