Author: Doug Bloch, Joint Council 7 Political Director

This blog was first published by the UC Berkeley Labor Center

Freight drivers deserve better than a race to the bottom

February 8, 2019
In the Media, Teamster News

Every day, millions of packages arrive at online shoppers’ doorsteps, after having traveled hundreds, even thousands of miles from ports to warehouses to delivery hubs and finally to homes. And in keeping with California’s climate goals, companies in the business of moving goods are being asked to cut greenhouse gas emissions in this heavy polluting sector.

However, freight and delivery companies are finding ways to pass on the responsibility of cleaning up fleets to individual drivers,

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RIP Mauricio Garcia – Allied Waste Services of Daly City

January 18, 2019
Local 350, Teamster News

We are tremendously saddened and shocked to hear of the death of Brother Mauricio Garcia, who died on January 16, 2019 while performing his job with Allied Waste Services of Daly City. CalOSHA is investigating the cause of the incident.

Brother Garcia was an exemplary worker and loyal member of Teamsters Local 350 for 17 years. He worked side by side with his two brothers who are also long-time members. Their father was a Shop Steward at the same company for many years.

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Long-time legislative advocate Barry Broad retires

Uncategorized

Joint Council 7 extends our warmest congratulations to Mr. Barry Broad, Legislative Director at the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council (CTPAC) on his upcoming retirement. Barry will retire at the end of 2018, after having worked for CTPAC for the past 35 years. Barry has been a ubiquitous presence in Teamster political life here in California and will be greatly missed. 

After finishing law school at UC Davis, Barry went to work as a lawyer and lobbyist for the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council,

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Nvidia drivers join union

December 20, 2018
Local 853

Twelve tech shuttle drivers who work for WeDriveU and shuttle the staff of Santa Clara-based Nvidia are now represented by Local 853.

“These drivers work out of the same parking lot as those at LAM,” says Local 853 business rep Tracy Kelley. “When they saw the LAM group join the union and get wage and benefit increases, they wanted the same for themselves.”

The group started working with Local 853 in October,

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9th Annual Bud Classic Car Show and Thanksgiving Baskets of Hope

Local 896

The Ninth Annual Bud Classic Car Show took place on Saturday, September 29 at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fairfield. More than 5,000 people enjoyed activities that included 275 classic cars, live music, great food, a silent auction featuring Budweiser collectibles, a beer garden, and various vendors. The event helped raise $25,000 for the Families Helping Families Annual Thanksgiving Baskets of Hope event in November.

More than 200 volunteers met at the Fairfield brewery on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to prepare the Baskets of Hope.

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Strong contract at Allied Waste Daly City

Local 350

Teamsters Local 350 representatives began negotiations for a new contract with Allied Waste in March, 2018. After months of talks, the team came up with a contract that includes maintenance of benefits and a significant wage increase that the members ratified by an overwhelming margin.

“The negotiation process was lengthy and heated at times,” said 18-year member Ignacio “Nacho” Miranda who served on the negotiating committee. “Juan, Sergio and John worked very closely with us to make sure our concerns and demands were addressed during negotiations.

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Members ratify new San Francisco parking agreement

Local 439, Local 665

Local 665 members have ratified a new four-year multi-employer agreement covering parking operations at San Francisco’s commercial office  buildings, major hotels and municipal facilities. 

“We are pleased with the offer and the members approved this contract in a nearly unanimous vote” said Local 665 Vice President Tony Delorio.

The new offer includes hourly wage increases each year for each classificatio, protections for the current health plan and improvements in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension. 

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Reaching out to high school students

Local 315

Working to engage the next generation of Teamsters, Local 315 staff and members attend career fairs at schools and colleges.

Business Agent David Rodriguez was recently at  Richmond High’s Career Fair. “My father was a 40-year Teamster, so I had the privilege of growing up in a union household. It was great to speak with students about the importance of unions and the value of having a contract,” he says. “Hopefully, they will enjoy the same type of benefits we have,

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Training brings together stewards from three Locals

Local 601, Local 890, Local 948

On November 3, Locals 601, 948 and 890 brought their shop stewards to Visalia for their annual training meeting. “I had the pleasure of getting to meet other stewards from other locals  and was able to gain new knowledge from our guest speakers and from our attorneys. It was a great day with our Teamster sisters and brothers,” said Martin Cortez,Teamsters Local 601 Shop Steward who works at Pacific Coast Producers Distribution Service.

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