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Local increases industry density with wall-to-wall organizing
April 4, 2026
Local 439
31 Workers at Sweeping Corp. Of America in Stockton Unionize, Joining Teamsters
March 25, 2026
For Immediate Release
March 25, 2026
Workers at Sweeping Corp. Of America Unionize Joining Teamsters
The unit joins Teamsters Local 439 to fight for good wages and worker protections.
(STOCKTON, CALIF.) 31 workers at Sweeping Corp. of America’s Stockton facility voted to join Teamsters Local 439. The victory comes following the recent vote of their colleagues at a nearby San Jose facility to become Teamsters.
Keep readingMembers unanimously ratify strong contracts
January 25, 2026
Teamsters Local 439 does it again! Another 100% ratification for the Local’s Waste Management members in Stockton.
The five-year contracts set the market in the Valley and marks the first time in over 50 years that the Waste Management Unit has ratified a contract unanimously since the facility opened in Stockton. Proud of the unity and proud of the membership.
SYGMA Members Win First Contract
Teamsters Local 43 leadership — Principal Officer Sal Lomeli and President Rick Buzo — have officially ratified the SYGMA contract with a 100% YES vote.
Keep readingLocal 439 Teamsters at Republic Services win strike
November 4, 2025
Strong first contract achieved with Joint Council local union support
Over 500 Republic Services Teamsters from five locals nationwide—including a unit of Joint Council 7 members in Manteca, Calif., represented by Local 439—were forced to launch an enormous sanitation strike this summer after the multibillion-dollar waste corporation committed unfair labor practices.
Prior to the strike, landfill workers at Local 439 were battling for a fair first contract to meet the area industry standard.
Keep readingLocal welcomes new waste industry members; RTS Teamsters unanimously ratify new contract
July 4, 2025
Teamsters Local 439, led by Secretary-Treasurer Sal Lomeli and President Rick Buzo has achieved a significant victory by successfully organizing Clean Harbors Environmental Services, a key player in the waste industry. This development marks a pivotal moment for workers’ rights and collective bargaining power and demonstrates the growing strength of labor organizations in sectors traditionally challenging to organize, potentially reshaping the landscape of labor relations in the waste management sector and inspiring efforts across other industries.
Keep readingMartin Brower, Sygma Foods employees join union; bakery members ratify contract
April 24, 2025
Teamsters Local 439 is thrilled to announce another successful organizing victory with the transportation clerks at Martin Brower joining the Local.
“Our ongoing mission is to achieve wall-to-wall representation for all workers at Martin Brower,” said Local 439 Secretary-Treasurer Sal Lomeli. “This commitment not only strengthens our bargaining power but also ensures that every worker has a voice. This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Local 439 team.”
“The strong contracts we negotiate not only benefit our current members,
Keep readingShred-It workers unanimously vote to join Local 439
October 11, 2024
On September 12, 2024, the workers at Shred-It voted in favor of joining Teamsters Local 439 with a unanimous decision of 100%.
“This is a huge victory for us, and we are incredibly proud of the Shred-It employees for taking a stand and choosing to be represented by our union,” said Local 439 President Rick Buzo.
“Our union is dedicated to fighting for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions for all our members,” said Local 439 Secretary-Treasurer Sal Lomeli.
Keep readingRepublic Services drivers ratify landmark contract
Local 439 is excited to announce that we have achieved the best Republic Services contract in the history of Local 439.
Secretary-Treasurer Sal Lomeli and President Rick Buzo have worked tirelessly to negotiate a contract that will benefit all of our members.
First and foremost, we have secured maintenance of benefits on healthcare, which is a significant achievement. This means that our members will have access to quality healthcare without having to worry about expensive out-of-pocket costs.
Keep readingLandfill workers join Local 439, prepare for first contract negotiations
Workers at Republic Services have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 439. The group consists of over 40 machine operators, laborers, and maintenance workers at the company’s Stockton, California, landfill facility.
“I’ve been working at Republic for years, and we organized with the Teamsters because we hit a boiling point over our pay, benefits, and working conditions,” said Jose Zepeda, a spotter and new member of Local 439. “I want to thank the Local 439 drivers at Republic and Waste Management who dump at our facility and supported our organizing campaign.
Keep readingDrivers testify about autonomous vehicles
February 1, 2023
Drivers testified to the DMV at a January 27 hearing about their on-the-road concerns about the introduction of Autonomous Trucks without human drivers. Powerful stuff. This is not only about safety on the road for Teamster drivers and the driving public, it’s also about the future of good driving jobs in this country. Thanks to Assembly Member Cecilia Curry-Aguiar and Tom Lackey for introducing AB316; this bill will ensure that all vehicles over 10,000 pounds have a human operator.… Read more »
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