Teamsters Local 853 Is Ready for 2026
Because of all of your efforts, Teamsters Local 853 is stronger than ever. In 2026, that strength will be on full display—because the gloves are coming off. The days of “go along to get along” are over. Period. End of story.
Over the past three years, our focus on unity and transparency has defined my administration. Those priorities have lifted us all and brought many more members into active service of our Union. With those in-house fundamentals now in place, it is time to turn outward—to aggressively take the fight to the corporations and politicians who want to take away our security.
2025 was an incredible year for contracts. We won more record-breaking agreements than at any time in our recent past. But if we are going to maintain and build on this success, we must keep pushing.
Why?
We are living in a time of unprecedented wealth inequality in America. The widening canyon between workers and corporate elites is now politically turbocharged. At the same time, AI, robotics, and autonomous vehicles are enriching corporations as they look for every way possible to replace workers in the name of greed and profits.
What can you do to join the fight?
The first step is to be active in your Union.
Talk with your fellow members, stewards, and Business Agents. Take an interest. Speak up about what’s happening on the job. Share your experiences to improve your workplace. Be ready to step up and show up when Teamsters Local 853 needs to demonstrate our strength in public.
Cut through the clickbait and hate-baiting in the media. Research then support local and national politicians who truly support workers. Not just by what they say, but by how they vote and what legislation they back to improve our lives. Legislation does not lie. Strong labor laws, like strong contracts, are critical to our long-term security and success. And legislation cannot be faked.
What the 2025 year-end holidays represent
As 2026 approaches, I feel a profound sense of joy, purpose, and confidence in what we have built together. Through your hard work, we have created lives as Teamsters Local 853 members that include the pay, benefits, and protections that give our families breathing room and peace of mind.
So I wish you and your families a happy holiday! Let’s rest up, then gear up—and use our renewed unity to take our fight to the next level. There is nothing we can’t do when we are unified and moving together.
I also want to acknowledge the members who still do not have the security of a contract. Please keep the 250 members at Westlake in your thoughts as they continue to walk the line. They are now in their fifth month on strike, holding firm for their fair share of the pie. Their fight is our fight, and they deserve all of our support and respect.
Thank you for everything you have helped us accomplish over the past three years. The honorable badge of Teamsters Local 853 is the direct result of your unity.
On behalf of myself, President Steven Lua, our Executive Board, and all of our Business Agents: Happy Holidays—and let’s crush it again in 2026.
In solidarity,
Steve Beck
Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer
Teamsters Local 853
