Local 350

South Bay Recycling members ratify historic contract

July 9, 2021
Local 350, Teamster News
Local 350 celebrates a great contract. From left: Business Agent Robert Sandoval, Steward Joseph Gomes, and Secretary-Treasurer John Bouchard.

In June, the 42-person South Bay Recycling Facility Operations unit in San Carlos voted to approve a historic new five-year deal. These essential workers are responsible for the day-to-day operations at the Shoreway Environmental Center, which encompasses both the Transfer Station and the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), both of which are open to residents, businesses, contractors, and individuals to bring their trash and recyclables for processing and transfer. Members include equipment operators, scale attendants, mechanics,

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Luis Estrada – Allied Waste Services of Daly City (Local 350)

May 29, 2021
Local 350, Member Profiles

As he waited for his school bus in 1980’s San Francisco, Luis Estrada would watch the garbage men running with their pack cans and picking up garbage every morning. Those Teamsters Local 350 members inspired young Luis to become a garbage man.

On August 2, 2000, Estrada began his career at Allied Waste Services of Daly City and as a member of Teamsters Local 350. “I was working full-time at the San Francisco Produce Markets and part-time with UPS in South San Francisco.

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Ricardo Barba – Recology Sunset (Local 350)

April 29, 2021
Local 350, Member Profiles

Ricardo Barba has been a dedicated driver for Recology for 30 years. His career began in 1990 with Recology Golden Gate; he then transferred to Recology Sunset in 1996. For the majority of his career, Ricardo has proudly serviced San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood.

“This career isn’t just about being a Garbage Truck driver; it’s about being an essential part of the community and servicing others. Waking up early or staying late at work is worth it,

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Joseph Gomes – South Bay Recycling

Local 350, Member Profiles

Joseph Gomes has worked at South Bay Recycling for more than 34 years.  He currently works as the transfer station’s heavy equipment operator, and also serves as the unit’s shop steward. “I like operating equipment. I also enjoy my position as the shop steward because I work with great guys and I like working for an organization that helps protect its workers’ rights,” he says with pride.

Aside from being both a proud member and shop steward,

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Miguel Gonzalez – South San Francisco Scavengers (Local 350)

Local 350, Member Profiles

With 53 years of union membership under his belt, Miguel Gonzalez is currently one of the most tenured members at Teamsters Local 350.

His story begins back in 1951 in Mezcala, a small town in Jalisco, Mexico. When he was 16, Miguel immigrated to the U.S. His career in the garbage industry began with the Daly City Scavengers on September 8, 1967. When he learned from his cousin that the wages at South San Francisco Scavengers were much higher,

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Like father, like son in solid waste and recycling industry

March 18, 2021
Local 350, Teamster News

“Watching my dad work as a garbage man since I was four years old and loving his job inspired me to follow in his footsteps,” says Pedro Ponce about his father, Toribio Ponce.

The Solid Waste and Recycling industry is one of those unique industries that can span generations within families—fathers working with sons, nephews/nieces working with uncles, cousins working with cousins. It becomes a proud family affair of hard-working men and women who help serve their community,

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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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Clerical workers unite

September 22, 2020
Local 350, Teamster News

Clerical workers unite

On August 17, 2020, in a mail ballot, the clerical unit at the Republic Services Ox Mountain Landfill in Half Moon Bay had their ballots counted, and by a vote of 2-0, these new members said “YES!” to join their new brothers and sisters at Teamsters Local 350.

“Whether it’s organizing two new members or 2,000 members, they are all important, and any organizing victory is a big win for labor,” said Business Representative Robert Sandoval.

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Members ratify Recology San Bruno contract

July 4, 2020
Local 350, Teamster News
After the vote, Recology San Bruno members display new union t-shirts.

On May 14, the members of Recology San Bruno voted overwhelmingly to ratify their contract and close the deal on a long, hard-fought negotiation.

The five-year deal ensures that the 28-member unit receives significant increases in wages and pension that will bring them to the area standard. This unit is comprised of semi-drivers, garbage and recycling drivers, mechanics, and loader operators who operate the San Bruno Transfer Station in addition to providing essential services to the residential and commercial community in the City of San Bruno.

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Clerical workers at Republic Services vote for union

Local 350, Teamster News
Organizing committee member Briana Bircher.

On May 27,  the six clerical workers who work at the BFI Newby Island Landfill in Milpitas voted unanimously to join their brothers and sisters at Local 350.

Due to the pandemic, the process to unionize this group was unlike typical organizing efforts.

“This was an interesting campaign to say the least,” said Local 350 President Sergio Arrañga. “Union representatives did not have the ability to meet with workers face to face,

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