What Happened Around the Local

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. […]

Some info about the sea salt that comes from the last American sea salt manufacturer right in our Bay Area backyard in Newark, CA.    A 25-man Teamster 853 crew from Cargill Salt – solar plant keeps the whole operation going.  They harvest the salt from the ponds you see when you cross the San Mateo […]

On Saturday, Teamster 853 Staff met with Assemblymember Liz Ortega to discuss Labor-related priorities for the Hayward, San Leandro, Dublin, Union City, and Pleasanton Working Communities. Pictured with assemblywoman Ortega are Trustee Joel Bellison, Recording Secretary and Business Agent Mike Henneberry, and Business Agent Cesar Martinez. Liz Ortega is a longtime labor leader and activist […]

Turnout of sheer numbers are where we get our power. That is why we have good contracts, pay, and benefits. Because we stick together and always operate as one large group. So even though you may not be working on your specific contract, participation in all Teamster activities makes some member a recipient of a […]

This week, votes were tallied to ratify the first-ever Oakland Zoo Zoo Keepers agreement between Local 853 & the zoo. The results were overwhelming; as a matter of fact, the vote was nearly unanimous to accept the agreement! The union looks forward to representing our new members at Oakland’s premier institution. Local 853 would like […]

Our monthly member meeting for December is this Thursday, December 14th, 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

Unions and politics go hand-in-hand. Without legislators (Elected Officials) to make laws to protect working people, our Union efforts would be very difficult to maintain. Unions are outspent 15 to 1 by big businesses trying to marginalize Union protections. Their goal is always to weaken laws so they can get more profits by squeezing their […]

After eleven and a half months of negotiations, zoo keepers at the Oakland Zoo signed off on the first union contract ever at the venerable institution. Amazingly, since its founding over one hundred years ago, the workers at the East Bay landmark have been non-union. Organized last Summer, negotiations began under Local 853’s new administration […]

1500 Teamster members from Local 100 in Northern Kentucky and Ohio who work for CVG DHL voted to Unionize earlier in the year. Since then, DHL has chosen not to negotiate in good faith, which has resulted in these workers voting nearly unanimously to strike. Subsequently, today, December 6th, we have been informed that DHL […]

Teamster Local 853 members at the SF Unified and members of the Crafts Coalition (ten locals including Carpenters, Machinists, Painters, and six other trades coordinated by the Building Trades Council) forced the district to do the right thing and pay up what they’ve owed the members for a long time. Two years of dysfunction and […]

Sisters and brothers, read about current events that impact your work and your workplace. Learn about healthcare, retirement, scholarships, member discounts, paid leave, workers’ compensation, retirement, and many more items. Sign up to receive email updates from Teamster 853 Locals. Specify Spanish as your preferred language and we will send important notifications and events to […]

Congratulations to Teamster 853 President Steven Lua, Vice-President Ray Torres, and Business Agent and Trustee Gloria Segura as they were sworn in this week to sit on the South Bay Labor Council. The meeting was joined by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, who represents the 18 District, and Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who represents the 19th District in […]

To all the members at Premier Recycling, we see you and applaud all the strength you have shown to stand up for your rights. You have maintained a steadfast commitment to a fair and equitable contract. A big shout-out to all of you as you continue to grind it out. You make us proud. These […]

On November 15th, Zenith American members voted 51-0 to reject their employer’s last, best, and final contract proposal. The union has reached out to the company to get back into bargaining to negotiate a contract that meets the members’ needs. Zenith American Local 853 members administer health and welfare, and pension benefits for Operating Engineers […]

Hundreds of Teamsters working at Smart & Final in Southern California are on strike in the face of the company’s ongoing unfair labor practices.Workers voted for union representation, but now Grupo Comercial Chedraui – a $13 billion Mexican company that owns Smart & Final – plans to fire them all and force workers to re-apply […]

Approximately 1500 members from 17 Teamster Locals in the Liquor industry in California came to an agreement and ratified their contract on Sunday. “This was a great contract,” Said Liquor Chairman and Teamster 853 Secretary-Treasurer Steve Beck. “We secured strong improvements to contract language and increases to benefits. But the thing I’m most happy with […]

Our monthly member meeting for November is this Thursday, November 9th at 7PM. 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

Today was a good day for all the Teamsters who work at the Amports compounds on this new contract. Negotiations secured the highest pay raises in Amport’s history while not giving up any other current benefits. Gains were also made on Vacation and some other important language in the contract. “Our members stuck together and […]

Through grassroots political action and aggressive lobbying on Capitol Hill, State Houses, and City Halls across America, Teamsters have stopped some of the worst attacks on working people. But Big Business is always aggressively pushing their agenda to increase profits at workers’ expense. They outspend working families on politics by more than 15-1. But you […]

Big shout out to the Right Away crew, who just ratified a 3-year contract extension. Congratulations!!!

Sisters and Brothers, When Governor Newsom vetoed AB316, a bill that would have protected Union Jobs and put corporate greed in check, Teamsters do what they have always done. Continue the fight at a different angle. Because we only lose when we stop fighting. So we continue using our considerable voice for working women and […]

Sisters and Brothers, An informed and active electorate can get things done. That is why we are writing you today. You may have heard the news that the freight company Yellow recently filed for bankruptcy, which put 22,000 Teamsters out of work and allowed Yellow to walk away from their responsibility and debt. Leaving Teamsters […]

If you have ever purchased a new car and asked for something to be added to the car like a tow hitch or roof rack, where do you think these additions happen? Not at the factory. Large car companies ship cars with basic model builds, and when a dealership receives an order for a car […]

In August, Teamster members working at Bimbo turned down the company’s Last Best and Final offer during contract negotiations. They then overwhelmingly voted to authorize us to strike if the need arises. Some of the issues still not adequately addressed were the two-tier workforce as well as wage increases that can keep up with the […]

Alex Nakano, son of RNDC Teamster 853 member Kurt Nakano, was presented with the JC7 Scholarship this year at our September monthly meeting. Alex was selected as the winning recipient after providing his most recent education transcripts, extracurricular and community activities, and an essay he wrote on  “The Importance of Labor Unions.” Pictured with Alex […]

Can we please give a big shout-out to our Watsonville Community Hospital Teamsters 853 members? They are gearing up for contract negotiations. This upcoming contract is important as it is the first time they bargain since COVID. The city of Watsonville depends on these hard-working members who were at the front line of the pandemic, […]

Teamsters 853 Member Ali Shabana (in vest) was laid off in June 2016 when Laz took over parking management at Kaiser, Oakland.  Laz rehired him four months later without recognizing his original seniority date of 2012. So Ali has been forced to BID with lower seniority.   When Ali brought his circumstances to his Business Agent, James […]

853 Teamster members from two employers unexpectedly connected last week in a goodwill effort to package thousands of pounds of food for the underprivileged. Props to Teamster 853 members from RNDC Liquors and their employer for giving members a paid day to go to another Teamster 853 company, Second Harvest. There, they worked their day […]

Sisters and Brothers, In four days, the Teamsters have a monumental opportunity to push back hard against corporate greed at a State Level. AB316 protects Teamster Jobs, makes streets safer, and puts corporate greed in check. If you are not working this Tuesday, please join our rally in Sacramento to deliver a message to Governor […]

Our monthly member meeting for September is this Thursday, September 14th. 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 LaneOakland, California 94621 – Phone: 510-895-8853

Congratulations to these Hallcon drivers for reaching a significant milestone. Last month, Hallcon honored all employees with ten years of service or more. A significant milestone, as most have worked for multiple companies in 10 years. This group of members (drivers) are part of the pioneers at Hallcon and the beginning of organizing Commuter Shuttle […]

CTWI ratifies its first full-blown negotiated contract renewal.  Congratulations to the members, they had great gains in wages and their Western Conference Pension contributions and maintained their strong medical plan.