Labor Day – The battle between the rich and the working class – How FDR(Franklin D. Roosevelt) Changed everything for Unions in 1937
In the 1920s and 30s, union membership had been decreasing significantly for decades. The gap between the rich and middle class was at a […]
Celebrating our Teamster Children – Second scholarship awarded to Claire Porter
This summer, three Teamster 853 children were lucky enough to be the recipients of scholarships funded by our local. One of these students is […]
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 […]
Not so fast, Tony’s Fine Foods, we will take our jobs back with full back pay and benefits
Aurelio Mendoza and Ivan Gonzalez are Tony’s Fine Foods stewards who were instrumental in moving the organizing drive forward for their group. So when […]
Former 853 member, Carlos Reyes, sends us a message from SOCAL: 853 at heart and always sporting my 853 gear
Former 853 member Carlos Reyes from Cresco Labs is now in Southern California after Cresco Labs shut its doors. He sent us a message […]
Niko Glafkides was awarded one of Three 853 Scholarships this Summer
“This is one happy kiddo. Please let everyone know how thankful our family is for the scholarship.” wrote Niko’s mom, Stacie. Niko Glafkides took […]
Vern Gonsalves Retires After Long Local 853 Career & He’ll Still Serve
July 31, 1978 that’s when Vern Gonsalve’s odyssey with Local 853 began. Originally employed by Wesco in San Leandro Vern subsequently worked out of […]
Eduardo Garcia Gomez – Shop Steward for Bimbo, Concord Center
Sisters and Brothers, Pictured here is Eduardo Garcia Gomez, Shop Steward at Bimbo, Concord Center. Eddie is also on the negotiating committee for the […]
The Perks of Being a Union Member – Family Leave for Newborns
If you are a parent and work a full-time job, then you know what I am about to say. The incredible toll a family […]
Transdev Stanford 853 members hold a proposal meeting for their upcoming contract.
Pictured are Teamsters Members from Transdev Stanford. These bus drivers are of the utmost importance to Stanford’s students and staff around the campus. They […]
Let’s welcome back Tony’s Fine Foods as they start negotiating their first contact
These Teamsters at Tony’s Fine Foods are breaking ground and pushing new boundaries in their first contract negotiations. They are drivers working in four […]
Teamsters 853 Transdev Stanford shop steward Kris Vegas
Pictured here is Transdev Stanford shop steward Kris Vegas. Kris is the voice for the rank and file at the Stanford Transdev location. His […]
Summertime Member Meetings Cancelled
In observance of the Summertime for vacationing members, a vote was taken and approved by membership to suspend monthly member meetings for July and […]
Golden Brands holds proposal meeting in San Jose
Last weekend, Teamster 853 members of Golden Brands in San Jose held a proposal meeting to discuss their upcoming contract negotiation. “We are unified […]
Teamsters 853 hosts barbecue for Costco Teamsters in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Redwood City in preparation for national contract negotiations
Teamster 853 Costco workers in the Bay Area will soon be gearing up for contract negotiations. And what better way to start getting our […]
Going Above and Beyond for Your Union
I’m proud to introduce Chief Steward for MV Transportation Half Moon Bay/Mission Bay Martin Haro. He was instrumental in bargaining their recent contract extension. […]
Prepare for your next job interview in the unionized trades
Sisters and Brothers, Be ready for your next union job when the opportunity presents itself by taking this two-hour training course. Learn about the […]
Six months of work come to fruition with the 100% ratification of these Teamsters at Watsonville Community Hospital
This Tuesday evening, the teamsters at Watsonville Community Hospital held a ratification meeting, and they voted unanimously to accept the new contract offer.This has […]
US FOODS in Livermore enter into their first contract negotiations
Now, it’s time for the payoff. These members voted to Unionize just a couple of months ago, and now are bringing their A-game to […]
Members can never be armed with enough information about workplace issues – DHL Teamsters monthly meeting, aka “The Dumpster Meeting”
– Every month, Teamster 853 members at DHL formally meet 30 minutes before the 10 AM start time. This regular check-in gives our members […]
Teamsters at Tonys Fine Foods are preparing for their first-time contract negotiations.
Congratulations to these new members from Tony’s Fine Foods, who got together on Sunday with Teamsters 853 President Steven Lua and Vice President Ray […]
The future looks bright for our last remaining dairy processing plant
The nearly 100 members at the Safeway Milk Plant in San Leandro unanimously ratified their new four-year contract on July 8. “These members worked through the pandemic, supplying milk and other products for Safeway and other brands. The company has been investing a lot of money into expanding the plant for new lines, like almond […]
Read MoreLocal hosts Job Fair in Oakland – August 28
After our highly successful San Jose job fair in July, Teamsters Local 853 is sponsoring an Oakland job fair on August 28. It will be held from 8 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, August 28 at our Oakland office parking lot: 7750 Pardee Lane. Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resumé. They\’ll […]
Read MoreTeamsters host in-person job fair
Were you laid off due to the pandemic shutdowns? Do you hate your job but want to keep good Teamster wages and benefits? Do you know someone out of work? Come to the Teamster Job Fair on Saturday, July 10 (8 a.m. to Noon) and/or spread the word! Fourteen Teamster employers who collectively have more […]
Read MoreMass killing in San Jose is just too close
(May 26, 2021) This morning, a gunman killed eight Valley Transportation Agency (VTA) workers and himself at a union meeting of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 in San Jose. Teamsters Local 853 also has members who subcontract to the VTA. The following is a statement by Teamsters Joint Council 7 President Rome Aloise: “Fortunately, our members were safe from this horrific event. However, this is […]
Read MoreVaccines enable us to move past the pandemic
By Rome Aloise — We have all been dealing with the effects of COVID-19 for over a year now. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on many of our members and their families, with a number of our members passing away due to the virus. Many of our workplaces have been affected adversely and many members […]
Read More853 comes out in solidarity
Local 853 members who work at UPS gathered at the San Jose Giant\’s Stadium to stand in solidarity with insurance salespeople who work for AAA Insurance and are seeking union representation. According to Local 853 Busines Rep Johnny Gallegos, \”the company bought out the stadium to union-bust.\” Local 665 launched its organizing drive with the […]
Read MoreBest contract yet at Westrock
In March, the 25 members who work at Westrock, a paper and packaging company in Milpitas, unanimously ratified their first successor contract since the merger with Local 853 took place. The four-year agreement is reputed to be the best these shipping and receiving have ever approved. “The negotiating team fought long and hard with the employer to stay […]
Read MoreTeamster drivers bring community to vaccine clinic
Delivering vaccinations to low-income people has been one of the greatest challenges for public health leaders. Not only are these community members at greater risk of getting COVID, but they’re also less likely than the general population to have either online access to make appointments or the transportation to get to clinic sites. Starting on […]
Read MoreLocal urges members to get vaccinated
We have all been dealing with the effects of COVID-19 for over a year now. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on many of our members and their families, with a number of our members passing away due to the virus. Many of our workplaces have been affected adversely and many of our members have suffered layoffs […]
Read MoreStanding up for Safety
On April 19, Local 853 members who work at UPS joined union members across the state in Sacramento to call on elected leaders to support AB 701, introduced by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). This bill develops a warehousing policy aimed at decreasing worker injury and making transparent the debilitating quotas set by giant corporations, […]
Read MoreCounting votes over zoom
The pandemic has changed how many union processes are conducted, including elections and vote counting. On March 29, Business Rep Mike Henneberry and Chief Steward Vanessa Wadley counted the ballots that members who work at Zenith Administrators in Alameda submitted on the issue of restructuring and strengthening their pension plan. But this time, they did […]
Read MoreRally for Teamster jobs postponed…for now
At a time when Netflix has raked in $25 billion in revenues, up $5 billion from the previous year, the company is changing bus contractors, which may result in up to 29 Local 853 drivers losing their jobs and a lowering of wages for the replacement drivers. Local 853 is in talks with Netflix and […]
Read MorePolland/Morales Scholarship—Deadline July 1
Please see the link below for information about the Joint Council 7 Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available to the children and grandchildren of active Local 853 members who are in good standing and will be based on a combination of academic achievement, school and community service, and financial need. In addition to completing the application […]
Read MoreLocal\’s Union Hall becomes vaccine clinic for a day
Local 853’s Oakland union hall was turned into a vaccine clinic on Saturday, March 27. The Alameda County Central Labor Council, a co-tenant in our building, brought together their affiliated unions to do outreach to their members. In all, 430 union members were excited to get the Johnson & Johnson “one and done” vaccine. “This […]
Read MorePresident makes forceful statement in support of union representation; Teamsters respond with pride and hope
In a remarkable video statement supporting the right of workers to join unions, recorded on February 28, President Biden has completely upended not only his predecessor but almost every president over the last century. The statement was released as nearly 6,000 workers at an Amazon warehouse in Alabama are voting in a union representation election. […]
Read MoreAfter push by union, paratransit drivers are deemed \”first responders\” – eligible for COVID vaccine
Since the pandemic began, paratransit drivers who transport the sick, the elderly, and the disabled in small buses have been at great risk for COVID. After a plea from Teamsters Union and the San Francisco paratransit company TransDev, the City and County of San Francisco agreed that these workers should be considered “first responders” and […]
Read MoreUsing PLAs to get work at SFO
The concrete work at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is covered under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). “Unions work hard to get PLAs on big projects because they create a level playing field for wage rates,” says Business Rep Stu Helfer. “It means that non-local companies can’t come to the expensive Bay Area and […]
Read MoreHoffa Scholarships available now for high school seniors
Deadline: Extended to March 8, 2021 The deadline for this year\’s James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) Academic and Vocational/Training Program scholarship applications is now March 8. The fund looks forward to a record number of applications from high school seniors who are the sons, daughters, or financial dependents of Teamster members. The scholarship […]
Read MoreEssential workers keep working through pandemic, but nearly 20% of membership is not
When the pandemic struck in March, the entire economy came to a screeching halt. Travel, hospitality, sports and the arts were the first to shutter. But it was clear that not everything could stop. People needed food, health care, and a variety of services and somebody needed to do that work. Often, those somebodies were […]
Read MoreConcrete drivers step up for a co-worker in need
When Jorge Vasquez got cancer, he didn’t want it to stop his daily work routine, because he’s the sole supporter for his wife and son. Business Rep Eddie Venancio reports that Jorge continued to work at Westside Building Supply in San Jose while he was getting chemo treatments. But when Shop Steward Jonathan Pinney, who […]
Read MoreLooking forward to a better new year
By Rome Aloise — With only a little bit of hesitation, I will say that I am happy this year is finally coming to an end. For all of us, 2020 has been quite a hardship—with new and constant threats to our members and your families. We do have something good to look forward to […]
Read MoreMembership appreciation event continues—pandemic style!
For the past 25 years, Local 853 has held an annual Membership Appreciation event that included breakfast, door prizes, a huge raffle, convenient flu shots, and the opportunity to hear about the State of the Union. Back when it started, the event attracted a few hundred members. Over the years it has grown to bring […]
Read MoreSF Street Sweepers win big grievances
Business Rep Dan Harrington reports that he won two separate grievances for some San Francisco street sweepers. In the first case, he was able to overturn a 5-day suspension through expedited arbitration, and the member, Annie Romero, got a back pay check covering all five days. In this case, Romero was suspended for participating in […]
Read MoreVote as if your future depends on it – it does!
By Rome Aloise — You should already have received your 2020 ballot. If you haven’t yet voted, please do so as soon as you can. Use the Guide in this newsletter and see our local recommendations at teamstersjc7.org/endorsements. This edition of Connections is mostly about the election and your union’s recommendations for candidates and propositions. […]
Read MoreStatement on the death of George Floyd
From that momentous day in 1968 when Teamster President Jimmy Hoffa stood with Martin Luther King in support of the Memphis garbage strikers, the Teamsters Union has not only stood with Black leaders, but has fought to be all inclusive, making equal pay for equal work, regardless of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation, a […]
Read MoreUpdate on COVID-19 for all Teamster members
By Rome Aloise — We have put together a special edition of the Local 853 Connections to make sure you are getting information from your union that, given the current circumstances, is as helpful and timely as it can be. We are experiencing unprecedented and historic times. None of us have seen anything like this […]
Read MoreCOVID-19 Update
Important COVID-19 information from Secretary-Treasurer Rome Aloise Rome Aloise COVID statement Please read the statement linked above. The document includes important information from Beeson, Tayer & Bodine, our legal consultants, on your rights and responsibilities in the current crisis.
Read MoreCoronavirus: Resources & Info for Workers
Get the info you need from the California Labor Federation!
Read MoreThank You, Teamsters!
A Message from Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer Rome Aloise Local 853 members are in many cases working harder and longer to make sure the general public is taken care of during these trying times. Some work with the public like our Costco members, trying to help the public while they are hoarding toilet paper and getting […]
Read MoreLandmark settlements on key contracts
By DENNIS HART As we close the chapter on 2019, your Local is once again in the forefront of settling historic contracts and setting the highest standards for other Locals to meet. This past year, our Business Agents and Officers settled numerous contracts including: liquor, Costco, Busing, Pepsi Cola, the City and County of San Francisco, and many more. In the coming year, […]
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