Author: Joint Council 7

Teamsters stop tech buses to demand pension

August 23, 2018
Local 853, Teamster News

The tech workers start lining up before 7 a.m. to get on buses in the Castro district of San Francisco to be driven down to companies like Apple, Google and Tesla in Silicon Valley. On August 16, their routine was scuttled as nearly 100 Teamsters came to the active bus stop to press the shuttle bus companies for a master agreement that includes a pension plan.

Blocking buses for 3-5 minutes each, the Teamsters let the tech passengers know that their drivers were seeking a better deal.

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Sometimes the Best Strategy Is To Do Nothing

August 16, 2018
News and Press, Teamster News

It’s not unusual for California State Senators and Assemblymembers to encounter Joint Council 7 Teamsters standing shoulder to shoulder along the halls of the State Capitol or having them cram into their tiny legislative offices. In fact, senior legislators and staffers will tell you that JC7 has been a major lobbying force in Sacramento for decades, whether it be introducing new legislation, supporting existing legislation or protesting anti-labor policies.

It is, however, extremely rare when our loud and powerful voice demands that legislators do nothing.

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Teamsters Push Back on Corporate Opposition to Court’s Dynamex Decision

Press Releases

California Teamsters Support Clear Test of Employee Classification

(SAN FRANCISCO) — Dozens of Teamsters from locals throughout Northern California, as well as port drivers from L.A./Long Beach, took part in a lobby day in Sacramento this week to push back on corporate efforts to overturn the state Supreme Court’s landmark Dynamex decision.

The California Chamber of Commerce and companies including Uber, Lyft, Instacart and Postmates, among others, have launched an intense lobbying effort against the Supreme Court of California’s April decision in the case of Dynamex Operations West,

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Wealthy corporate interests continue assault on working people’s freedoms; members have power in numbers to fight back

July 30, 2018
Uncategorized

Corporations and wealthy special interests continue to ramp up their attacks on the freedoms of working people by forcing through extreme changes in law intended to destroy workers’ rights to stand together in unions.

Unions may be the only counterbalance to the growing power of corporate CEOs and the politicians they bankroll. Unions give workers a seat at the table to negotiate with bosses for fair pay, decent benefits and safe working conditions.

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Honoring labor in Fresno

July 25, 2018
Local 431

On May 19, the Union Park Foundation in Fresno held their third annual event to honor fallen workers in the San Joaquin Valley. Opening ceremonies included the Fresno Police Department placing a wreath on the Union Park monument, which is located at the Fresno Fairgrounds.

“Teamsters Local 431, Joint Council 7 and many unions from around the Valley had joined together to help fund the building of this park,” reports Local 431 Business Rep Steve Sharp.

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Beware Predatory Drug, Alcohol Treatment Brokers

TAP/TARP

The U.S. Congress and many state legislatures have begun to address a national problem by considering legislation to stop unethical alcohol and drug treatment programs from preying on vulnerable individuals and families seeking treatment.

In December, 2017, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations began hearing testimony about predatory practices by substance abuse treatment programs. In 2018, New York passed a measure that makes it a crime to offer or to accept any payment from an individual or entity that provides substance abuse treatment services in exchange for patient referrals and admissions.

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Skilled Trades take on State Capitol

Local 2010, Teamster News

More than 60 skilled trades Teamsters from throughout the UC and CSU converged on the State Capitol for the first Local 2010 Skilled Trades Lobby Day on June 27.  Members met with the Governor’s office, Senate President Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and other legislators and aides, seeking their support for increased funding to address deferred maintenance at the universities, and to urge them to pass AB 1231, the bill to restore step increases for CSU workers.

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Best contract ever for Cannery Council

Local 601, Local 948, Teamster News

With an approval rate of nearly 90%, about 12,500 members of Local 601 and Local 948 who are part of the Cannery Council ratified their new three-year contract in July.

“These were the toughest negotiations that I’ve faced,” says Local 601 Principal Officer Ashley Alvarado, who led the bargaining. “We were negotiating with all new people who do not yet have a relationship with the Cannery Council or the workers.”

Nevertheless,

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WCCUSD members ratify first Teamster contract by 99%

Local 856, Teamster News

In 2017, the 1,800 classified employees of West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) voted overwhelmingly to become members of Teamsters 856. And in June, they ratified their first contract as Teamsters, proving what can happen when working people stand together.

“Just one year ago we were welcoming these new members into Local 856,” said Principal Officer Peter Finn. “And now these members have ratified a contract they can be proud of that will positively impact their lives and their families’ lives.”

Gary Abeyta is a head custodian for WCCUSD and he was a part of the team that worked to bargain their first Teamsters 856 contract.

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