Author: Joint Council 7

California Waste Solutions members ratify new contract

On April 19, 2022, the 72 drivers and mechanics at California Waste Solutions (CWS) in San Jose voted nearly unanimously to ratify their new collective bargaining agreement.

“I thank the members at CWS for their patience through the long process. They trusted their local to get the best deal possible for them, with language improvements and an economic package that bridges the gap between neighboring counties,” said Local 350 President Sergio Arranaga. “A special thanks to Larry Daugherty;

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UC Teamsters are speaking out!

Local 2010’s Bargaining Team continues to meet with the University of California to negotiate a successor agreement for the CX Unit, which has been extended by mutual agreement through June 2022. While there are still many member rights articles pending, the union Bargaining Team made a wage proposal to the UC team on May 19.

Jamal Colter, Bargaining Team member from UC San Francisco, addressed the UC Board of Regents about the high cost of living and workers’ salaries not keeping up.

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Two solid contracts ratified

OK Produce: The 230 members who work in the OK Produce warehouse in Fresno and are drivers, who work primarily across Northern California, overwhelmingly ratified an early three-year agreement, reports President Peter Nuñez.

“The company was willing to sit down and bargain and our guys did a good job on that one,” says Nuñez. “The members got significant wage increases, improvements to their health and welfare, and increased pension contributions. 

Cherokee Freight Lines: About 200 drivers in Locals 431 and 439 share a contract with Cherokee Freight Lines.

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Why politics matters — what we’ve won and the work ahead

This is my 16th year as a Teamster. I was hired as political director in 2010 right after the merger of Joint Councils 7 and 38. That merger united more than 100,000 Teamsters from Bakersfield to the Oregon border and Reno under one tent. Overnight, we became one of the largest Joint Councils in the Teamsters. In fact, our Council is larger than 41 states.

I was hired to build political power so we can organize new workers into the Teamsters and negotiate the best wages and working conditions for our members.

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Wading through a sea of retaliation in search of first contract at AAA

Over 60 members, supporters, and elected officials rallied on May 31 in front of the Stockton AAA branch, where the insurance giant is closing its fourth highest-grossing branch out of 78 in retaliation against one of Local 665’s biggest supporters. 

“These workers chose to organize with us because AAA is outsourcing high-paying, middle-class careers into churn-and-burn, low-paying, high-turnover telemarketing jobs,” said Tony Delorio, Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer. “AAA needs to stop acting like a hedge fund and start acting like a membership association.

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Fighting back with pride

When UPS took no action after the union reported that a supervisor made a homophobic comment, Local 533 jumped into action. The Local has started an LGBTQ+ group, which is growing rapidly.  

“We are determined to make a difference both in the community and workplace for all members or allies in support of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins. 

This logo will be screen-printed onto t-shirts and tank tops and will be available to purchase for $20.00. 

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The labor movement now: Significant increase in union election petitions

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has reported that union election petitions have increased by 57% during the first half of Fiscal Year 2022 (October 2021 – March 2022). From October 2020 to March 2021, there were only 748 election petitions. As of March 31, 2022, there were 1,174 election petitions filed with the NLRB. If this trend in union election petitions continues through the rest of the year, it will be the highest annual total of election petitions filed in the last ten years. 

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Preparing to return to work after rehab

Completing an addiction treatment program is a great accomplishment and something for which you should feel great pride. At the same time, you are probably a bit apprehensive thinking about returning to work, especially if you’re coming back to the same job. You may have many concerns about what to expect. Or, you may be worried about how to talk to your boss and coworkers. This is a big step, but it’s one that you can take one day at a time.

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Liquor drivers ratify first contract

After voting to unionize in 2021 by a vote of 17 to 1, the 25 drivers from Zephyr Express (Winebow) in Benicia unanimously ratified their first contract in March. These drivers deliver alcohol to grocery stores, BevMo stores, and other liquor retailers.

“We believe that the talks went smoothing precisely because of the resolve these drivers showed in demanding a union,” says Secretary-Treasurer Don E. Garcia. “And that resolve paid off. Their day one wage increases ranged from $2 per hour to $10.16 per hour. 

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