On July 18, the Northern California Ready Mix drivers working for Cemex and Central Concrete, who are members of Local 853 and 315, overwhelmingly ratified their contract extension by mail ballot. This contract impacts 600 members at facilities across the Greater Bay Area.

“Given the current circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting inability to do most things in person, full-blown negotiations would have taken months and would have put areas of our contract at potential risk,” said Local 853 Principal Officer Rome Aloise.

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The Local 315 members employed at Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery recently ratified contracts with two of their units—Mt. Diablo Recycling Center and Recycling Center & Transfer Station. “Negotiating during the pandemic had its challenges,” says Business Rep David Rodriguez, “but with the perseverance of the Local and its bargaining committee, we were able to secure a five-year contract with the biggest pension increases our members have seen, great wages, and full maintenance of benefits for their health and welfare.”

Rodriguez wanted to thank the members for their patience and understanding during the negotiations.

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I felt it was time for a podcast created by and for the rank-and-file, so I created one.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Jeremy Rich and I am the Chief Steward at UPS’ small, but growing, Oakley building. I am also the Warden of Local 315. I have been at UPS for almost 20 years, the last 18 years of it as a package car driver. I originally started in UPS’ Concord building as a peak season part-time hire in 1999.

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In March, Local 315 held its First Annual Ready Mix Meeting. The ready mix membership attended to learn about the challenges facing cement drivers and the industry.

The meeting addressed the nonunion competition in the area and how bolstering union membership strengthens wages for everyone statewide.

Drivers are committed to spreading the good word of the Teamsters so that fellow drivers know the benefits of collective bargaining and contract protections. Business Agent Mike Hughes presented on many facets of the industry,

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Teamsters Local 315 members pushed for contracts from Republic Services that guaranteed safety and parity among workers. With good agreements in hand at West County Resource Recovery, West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill (Golden Bear Transfer Station), and Richmond Sanitary Services’ (RSS) Garbage and Recycling Divisions, members at the four Contra Costa facilities ratified their deals.

With guidance from IBT Solid Waste Representative Carlos Borba, Business Agent David Rodriguez embarked on what would become a 6-month effort,

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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.

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