Local 856

Big win at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco

Teamsters 856 member, Chelsey Yu is a front desk agent at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. Last year, she gave birth to her daughter and began her maternity leave. A few months later, she received a letter from the Clift stating she had exhausted her protected leave and her health and welfare benefits would no longer be covered.

Based on a clear and established past practice and contract language, Chelsey knew she should have been able to use her sick leave and vacation hours to meet the minimum 80 hours she needed each month to qualify for her collectively bargained health benefits.

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Bento (Ben) Leal

1926-2019

We are sad to announce the passing of Ben Leal, who died only a few days after suffering a stroke,

Born on a dairy farm in Newark, CA, Leal proudly served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, and spent most of his professional life as an organizer and leader in the Teamsters union.

Ben started his career with the Teamsters in 1956 as an organizer. In addition to serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer of Local 856 from 1982-1994,

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Members help Butte County deal with animals after devastating fire

Last fall, devastating fires left families centered in Paradise, CA, displaced from their homes and communities with the monumental task of rebuilding. The Camp Fire was dubbed the worst in California history because of the tragic number of lives lost and structures destroyed.

In the midst of it all, pets and other animals were caught up in the confusion and often separated from their owners. To help manage this problem, employees from the City and County of San Francisco’s Animal Care &

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More shuttle drivers join union

In February, the shuttle bus drivers at two more companies that have contracts with WeDriveU are now part of the Teamsters master contract, reports Business Rep Tracy Kelley. Four of the new members drive for VMWare in Menlo Park, and five are drivers for the Stanford Research Park.

Kelley reports that these members had been earning the union wage, but now that they’re members, not only do they have union protections and increased leave benefits,

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Members fight outsourcing at Marin General Hospital

The Teamsters 856 members in the Environmental Services (EVS) department at Marin General Hospital (MGH) take pride in keeping the hospital clean. Their work is critical to the patient care experience because they ensure the hospital is a comfortable place for patients to be seen and receive treatment.

Earlier this year, MGH management came up with a plan to pilot zone cleaning. But rather than extending the work to Local 856 members,

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Members secure a strong contract in San Francisco

Local 856 members in San Francisco recently ratified a new agreement at 23 of the top hotels in San Francisco including the Fairmont, the Palace Hotel, and the Clift Hotel. The new contract builds upon the strength of their previous contract and covers more than 1,000 members who work in reservations, front desk, concierge, and accounting.

“This agreement is one that we all worked hard on and one that I believe is second to none in the hotel industry,” said Local 856 President Mike Lagomarsino who led negotiations along with Local 856 Secretary-Treasurer/Principal Officer Peter Finn.

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WCCUSD members ratify first Teamster contract by 99%

In 2017, the 1,800 classified employees of West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) voted overwhelmingly to become members of Teamsters 856. And in June, they ratified their first contract as Teamsters, proving what can happen when working people stand together.

“Just one year ago we were welcoming these new members into Local 856,” said Principal Officer Peter Finn. “And now these members have ratified a contract they can be proud of that will positively impact their lives and their families’ lives.”

Gary Abeyta is a head custodian for WCCUSD and he was a part of the team that worked to bargain their first Teamsters 856 contract.

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More W Hotel workers vote to join Teamsters

Reservations, front desk, concierge, and rooms control employees at the W San Francisco hotel have joined the more than 1,000 hospitality workers already represented by Teamsters 856 after a resounding yes vote in February.

For Priya Kumari, the choice to join Teamsters 856 was an easy one. After years of talking with members of Teamsters 665 and UNITE HERE Local 2 who work in other departments at the W, she realized what a difference a strong collective bargaining agreement could make.

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Yolanda Jimenez – Pacific Coast Producers (Local 856)

For 16 years, Yolanda Jimenez has spent her summer months working in the canning area of Pacific Coast Producers in Woodland. She recently became a supervisor, overseeing the work of 15-20 other workers. “I’ve been there for a long time. Each July, when I go back, it’s like being with your family. Everybody knows you and greets you.”

Yolanda just became a trustee for Local 601 and is excited to learn more about how the union functions. “Most of the people, we don’t know what the union does for us. But I’ve learned that the union is us…and if we can get more involved we can get more help.”

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John Johnson — United Airlines Maintenance Base, San Francisco International Airport (Local 856)

John Johnson grew up understanding the value of a union job. “I’m what’s referred to as a ‘legacy’,” he said. “My father was a machinist at United. I needed a good job and it was union job with good benefits and good pay.”

When John began working at United Airlines in the San Francisco International Airport, the benefits he received were critical for his family.

“I was a single father at the time,

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