What Happened Around the Local

Teamster 853 members at Gatorade overwhelmingly ratify new offer

November 21, 2025

This week, Teamster 853 members at Gatorade overwhelmingly accepted their new contract offer. The new contract provided record pension increases, wages, and protection from […]

Yellow Freight Bankruptcy Update – NOV 20th, 2025

November 21, 2025

To see all updates go to this master Link for all Updates: https://teamsters853.org/yellow-freight-updates/

Steeler Inc. ratifies new contract at 100% YES VOTE

November 12, 2025

🏢 Building the products that build the world. 📣 Big shout-out to these Teamster 853 members from Steeler Inc. These members at Steeler build […]

Teamsters Local 853 holds General Meeting for ZUM Drivers at Oakland Unified School District

November 10, 2025

Being on the same page, understanding, and supporting a common goal of workplace improvements. These are the reasons it’s important to have general meetings […]

Challenge Dairies Teamsters Ratify new contract at 96% yes vote 

November 7, 2025

We see the trucks everywhere and signs everywhere. The Northern California butter that lines the shelves of most grocery stores across America. A name […]

Undivided, undeterred, and stronger than ever, Teamsters Local 853 celebrates our members’ unity

November 5, 2025

Strikes, protracted negotiations, unfair labor practices, worker exploitation, union busters, and income inequality: being a Teamsters 853 member means taking a stand and taking […]

Safeway Milk Plant Teamsters Ratify new contract at whopping 95% yes vote – best contract in memory

October 28, 2025

As some of the senior members at the Safeway Milk Plant stated, “This is the best contract we have ever had”. Teamsters 853 members […]

Student Transportation of America Members Ratify Strong 4-Year Agreement – w/First Time Pension

October 28, 2025

Student Transportation of America Teamsters have voted to ratify a new four-year contract that delivers meaningful gains in pay, benefits, and protections. Wage increase […]

On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set

October 26, 2025

🔥🔥 On the job safety a major issue in SYSCO Negotiations – Strike Deadline Set!! Sysco has less than one week left to present […]

All Teamsters 853 members at Safeway Milk Plant – Contract Vote this Sunday

October 17, 2025

When: Sunday October 19th, 9 AM – 11 AMWhere: Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland7750 Pardee LaneOakland, California 94621Contact Business Agent James Long: ‭(415) 225-4197‬ […]

SYSCO Foods Teamsters in SF show their readiness to stand united for a better contract

October 14, 2025

SYSCO Foods Teamsters were out in force on an early Monday morning at 3 AM at SYSCO Foods to show their solidarity as they […]

Yellow Freight Bankruptcy Update – OCT 8th, 2025

October 13, 2025

Member Appreciation Days to be Held Novermber 1st and 2nd

October 7, 2025

Sisters and Brothers, Don’t miss a chance to make our Local stronger by coming out and meeting other members from our 300 Teamster 853 […]

Recently Organized First Student Bus Drivers hold their first proposal meeting and Appoints Negotiating Committee members

October 7, 2025

Breaking bread with a new Teamster family. Welcoming new members is a thing to celebrate. What better way to have a first contract proposal […]

Strike vote Approved: 853 Teamsters at SYSCO Foods were ground zero, and opened the door to every major food service company in the Bay Area, now they go to the mat again

September 26, 2025

SYSCO Foods San Francisco. When no other food service industry drivers or warehouse workers wanted to unionize, these members did. They broke the Union […]

Pass Faster Labor Contracts Act Introduced in Congress with Bipartisan Support and Teamster Leadership:

September 17, 2025

On September 16th, the Pass Faster Labor Contracts Act was introduced in Congress with bipartisan support. The two main sponsors are Don Norcross (D-NJ) […]

SP+ Parking Driver Foster Frimpong Sent Back to Work with full Backpay:

September 9, 2025

Foster Frimpong, an SP+ driver and Local 853 member at the rental car center at the Oakland Airport, was recently sent back to work […]

A Bittersweet Day at Teamsters Local 853 – Business Agent Lennie Kuhls Retires After 57 Years.

August 29, 2025

Business agent Lennie Kuhls is retiring after a whopping 57-year career in Union representation. Lennie began her union career on September 16, 1968, at […]

Yellow Freight Bankruptcy Update – August 15th, 2025

August 22, 2025

Yellow Freight Teamsters Members, here is the latest update published by the IBT regarding the bankruptcy.

IBT & JC7 Union Organizers Team Up to Deliver a Great Win for Teamsters 853 Bus Drivers at First Student

August 21, 2025

👉 Last month, Teamsters Local 853 welcomed a new group of 40 bus drivers from a company called First Student out of San Leandro, […]

First Student Votes to Join Teamsters Local 853

August 19, 2025

In a final vote today, August 19th, this group of 40 drivers from First Student has chosen to join the ranks of Teamsters Local […]

Local\’s Union Hall becomes vaccine clinic for a day

March 24, 2021

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 […]

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President makes forceful statement in support of union representation; Teamsters respond with pride and hope

March 2, 2021

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. […]

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After push by union, paratransit drivers are deemed \”first responders\” – eligible for COVID vaccine

February 4, 2021

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 […]

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Using PLAs to get work at SFO

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Hoffa Scholarships available now for high school seniors

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Essential workers keep working through pandemic, but nearly 20% of membership is not

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Concrete drivers step up for a co-worker in need

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Looking forward to a better new year

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Membership appreciation event continues—pandemic style!

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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SF Street Sweepers win big grievances

December 15, 2020

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 […]

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Vote as if your future depends on it – it does!

October 11, 2020

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. […]

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Statement on the death of George Floyd

May 31, 2020

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 […]

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Teamsters are Essential Workers!

May 3, 2020

     

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Update on COVID-19 for all Teamster members

May 2, 2020

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 […]

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COVID-19 Update

March 20, 2020

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.

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Coronavirus: Resources & Info for Workers

March 18, 2020

Get the info you need from the California Labor Federation!

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Thank You, Teamsters!

March 18, 2020

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 […]

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Landmark settlements on key contracts

March 15, 2020

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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