Members of Teamsters Local 533 have overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with Waste Management. The contract covers over 250 workers who service the communities of Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties.

“I want to congratulate our members and the negotiating committee for their unity and perseverance, which ultimately secured such a strong contract,” said Debbie Calkins, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 533. “Our members stuck together and won life-changing wage and pension increases,

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A Local 533 steward, Christina Phoenix, had an opportunity to speak to More Perfect Union videographers about excessive overtime at UPS. 

“The Local is very proud of Christina for standing up and speaking for her fellow brothers and sisters,” says Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins. “It’s not easy to speak about this on camera, as UPS has a tendency to target members who put themselves out in the media like she did. But,

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On August 24, Carol Tomé, the CEO of UPS, decided to grace the Reno UPS hub with her presence. She was greeted with a rally by Local 533 drivers who were protesting the lack of air conditioning, both in the building and in the package cars. 

“We have had drivers go down to heat-related injuries in record numbers,” says Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins. “One driver had to go to the ER three times in less than a month;

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When UPS took no action after the union reported that a supervisor made a homophobic comment, Local 533 jumped into action. The Local has started an LGBTQ+ group, which is growing rapidly.  

“We are determined to make a difference both in the community and workplace for all members or allies in support of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Secretary-Treasurer Debbie Calkins. 

This logo will be screen-printed onto t-shirts and tank tops and will be available to purchase for $20.00. 

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On December 2, Local 533 members employed by Keolis Transit for the Reno-Sparks-Washoe transit agency ratified a new contract agreement. Getting there took three unfair labor practice strikes and 60 days on picket lines, beginning with the Hot August Strike, winding through Striketober and into December.

“This new deal will eliminate the need for further ‘repetitive and harmful strikes’ caused by Keolis,” says Local 533 President Gary Watson. “From day one, this has always been about the safety of our members and riders and improving working conditions in our profession.”  

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The fixed-route transit members of Teamsters Local 533 stood strong for ten days on an unfair labor practices strike that lasted from August 3-12, in Reno, Nevada. The members were on strike for the right to maintain their healthcare that is ever so valuable during a global pandemic. 

The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC Washoe), and its contractor Keolis Transit, the 70% French government-owned company that operates the bus services in Reno/Sparks and Washoe County,

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