2018 AS Teamster News Color
Keep readingJuly/August 2018
July 24, 2018
Author: Joint Council 7
Kyle Jump – Certified Grocers/Unified Grocers/SuperValu (Local 439)
June 14, 2018
Kyle Jump started working at Certified Grocers in 1983. After many years, that company became Unified Grocers and, about a year ago, was bought up by SuperValu. Kyle’s dad worked at Certified and Kyle followed him into the warehouse. When Kyle started there, he got a job at the bottom, working as an order selector. Since then, he says he’s done every job, most recently working as a forklift driver. “The work is great. But what’s best is the friends I’ve made,
Keep readingThe importance of Aftercare
June 10, 2018
Alcohol and drug addiction is a complex, demanding and frustrating chronic condition, but effective treatment can help to improve the lives of people who struggle with it. Addiction treatment is not a process that ends after an initial treatment program. Taking steps to live an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle is a long-term commitment. The process can include a wide variety of treatment options and supports. As part of the continuum of care, the Aftercare component is a vital part of overall long-term recovery.
Keep readingAlicia Flores – UC Berkeley Labor Center (Local 2010)
June 8, 2018
Alicia Flores not only works as a Program Coordinator for the UC Berkeley Labor Center, she is also a steward and chapter coordinator for Local 2010.
Her work is varied and exciting. In addition to coordinating the leadership development program for union and community organization staff and members that offers a series of seminars and multi-day programs throughout the year, she also runs the Labor Summer Internship Program. Twenty-five students will get trained in the basics of unions and then they’ll be assigned to work for eight weeks out in the field with unions and community organizations;
Keep readingThe case that has all of Silicon Valley shaking in its boots
June 5, 2018
The California Supreme Court issued a crushing blow to the “gig economy” in a late-April ruling. In Dynamex Operations West v. Lee, the Court imposed a standard that will make it much harder for employers to escape state employment standards by calling their workers “independent contractors” when there is little to nothing “independent” about their work.
Dynamex is a nationwide package and document delivery company (for Home Depot and Office Depot among others),
Keep readingConcord UPSer saves man from burning mobile home
Jesse Gregory, a recently promoted service provider, was reaching a delivery stop along his route in December when he spotted white smoke wafting from a mobile park. Gregory observed the smoke worsening as it turned black. The UPSer pulled over his truck, threw on his hazard lights, and pulled in his mirror to further investigate the scene. He then started to hear a woman shouting in Spanish.
As he approached the park, Jesse realized that a motor home was on fire.
Keep readingWorkers protest for campus safety and fair wages at CSU
Hundreds of skilled trades workers across the California State University system held protests on January 23, to call attention to the threats to students caused by years of neglect of campus facilities.
CSU has accumulated a $2+ billion backlog of neglected repairs and maintenance work, which continues to grow by $143 million a year.
“CSU raises tuition, but fails to invest in student safety and the safety of the workers who make the university run,” said Jason Rabinowitz,
Keep readingMore W Hotel workers vote to join Teamsters
Reservations, front desk, concierge, and rooms control employees at the W San Francisco hotel have joined the more than 1,000 hospitality workers already represented by Teamsters 856 after a resounding yes vote in February.
For Priya Kumari, the choice to join Teamsters 856 was an easy one. After years of talking with members of Teamsters 665 and UNITE HERE Local 2 who work in other departments at the W, she realized what a difference a strong collective bargaining agreement could make.
Keep readingAnother solid waste organizing victory in the North Bay
Less than a year after a 400 workers in Sonoma’s solid waste and recycling industry voted to become union members, Local 665 scored another win with an 80% Yes vote in an NLRB election to represent workers at most of North Bay transfer stations and the county landfill.
“These workers were employees of the County of Sonoma until they were out-sourced about five years ago” says Local 665 Secretary-Treasurer Mark Gleason. “They are very aware of the benefits that were taken away when Republic Services,
Keep readingYolanda Jimenez – Pacific Coast Producers (Local 856)
June 4, 2018
For 16 years, Yolanda Jimenez has spent her summer months working in the canning area of Pacific Coast Producers in Woodland. She recently became a supervisor, overseeing the work of 15-20 other workers. “I’ve been there for a long time. Each July, when I go back, it’s like being with your family. Everybody knows you and greets you.”
Yolanda just became a trustee for Local 601 and is excited to learn more about how the union functions. “Most of the people, we don’t know what the union does for us. But I’ve learned that the union is us…and if we can get more involved we can get more help.”
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