Author: Joint Council 7

Teamsters Local 350 supports $100 million settlement for Recology ratepayers

March 16, 2021
Local 350, Teamster News

In March, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced a $100 million settlement to be paid by Recology to its ratepayers in connection to an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption committed by former Director of the Department of Public Works, Mohammed Nuru. The following is an official statement from Teamsters Local Union 350 Secretary-Treasurer John Bouchard on the settlement.

“Teamsters Local 350 is proud of the work our members do at Recology to help protect public health and keep our city beautiful,” he said.

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Bringing in new members

Local 87, Teamster News

After a months-long fight that included layoffs, election challenges by the company, and several unfair labor practice charges filed by the union, on February 16, 2021, 22 Sierra Transport LLC drivers based in Bakersfield voted to join Teamsters Local 87.

“This huge victory was won despite the pandemic and the Trump NLRB,” says Secretary-Treasurer John Moralez. “Clearly, the Sierra drivers really wanted union representation because they stood strong through all kinds of employer shenanigans.”

The Settlement Stipulation includes returning the five laid-off employees to work and ensuring that the employer pays out more than $76,000 in back wages to those who were wrongfully laid off.

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Biden administration ushers in change at the NLRB

Legal Update

One of the first things the Biden Administration did after January 20 was to make sweeping changes to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the agency that oversees the conduct of work between unions and employers. On Day One, President Biden demanded the resignation and eventually terminated, the Trump NLRB General Counsel Peter Robb, whose term otherwise would not have ended until November. Robb was responsible for pushing an agenda that would do more damage to unions than any of his Republican-appointed predecessors.

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Gloria Betancourt, Local 912

Local 912

Gloria Betancourt, a Teamsters Local 912 member and avid community activist in Watsonville, died on February 13, 2021.

Gloria helped to rally her coworkers at a Watsonville cannery to go out on strike in 1985. Met with police brutality on their strike line, the majority-female strike committee bolstered the effort by organizing emergency food banks and financial relief funds for affected workers.

Through their effective strike, they not only secured the retirement and medical benefits that had been under threat during negotiations,

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Young UPS driver dies in truck accident

Local 948, Teamster News

Rayland Elzy, Local 948

On Friday, February 5th, a tragic truck accident took the life of Local 948 member Rayland Elzy, Jr. He had been a UPS package driver out of the Visalia hub, and a Teamster since 2018.

Elzy and his long-time girlfriend had just gotten engaged and were ready to start their future before this tragedy. “He was an energetic, young man who had a good heart, and had become a leader at UPS,” says Local 948 Secretary-Treasurer Luis Diaz.

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COVID pandemic leads to relapse; causes increased need for alcohol and drug treatment

TAP/TARP

COVID pandemic leads to relapse; causes increased need for alcohol and drug treatment

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, changes have occurred for many Americans in their relationship with alcohol and drugs. The pandemic posed unique challenges to those who use legal substances, those who also use illegal substances and those in recovery who endeavor not to use alcohol and other mind-altering drugs at all.

The ongoing stress, isolation, and uncertainty of COVID-19 have led to increased demand for mental health services across the United States for conditions like anxiety and depression.

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Bloch named to State commission

March 2, 2021
Teamster News

Governor Gavin Newsom has reappointed Doug Bloch, Political Director of Teamsters Joint Council 7, to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation, where he has served since 2012.

“We advise the state’s elected and appointed officials on how to make California jobs safer and healthier.  The Commission’s work means fewer Teamsters get injured on the job and if you do, we want to make sure you get the medical treatment you need so you can return to work safely and in one piece.,”

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Teamsters win public office

Local 856, Teamster News
Teamsters Local 856 Public Office Holders. From left: Jovanka Beckles, Malia Vella, Alena Maurer, Otheree Christian

In November, three more rank and file Local 856 members were elected to office after each not only won their race, but were also the top vote-getters in their respective contests. In addition, Local 856 Staff Attorney Malia Vella was re-elected to the Alameda City Council. As the top vote-getter in her race, she will serve as the city’s vice mayor. 

 “It’s important for working families to have a seat at the table,” says Vella.

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