Teamster News

Time to vote for Teamster leadership

Members have opportunity to determine the future of the union

You hear it every time there’s an election — “this one is the most important in your lifetime.” In this case, the election for the leadership of the Teamsters Union may be the most important in your Teamster career.

After two decades in power, IBT President James P. Hoffa, Jr. will not be running for reelection and there is a real contest for who will succeed him.

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30th Teamster Convention: Candidates nominated, constitution amended, Amazon campaign launched

Due to the pandemic, instead of 5,000 Teamsters sitting shoulder to shoulder in a huge Las Vegas ballroom, the 30th Teamster convention was held virtually. While many people watched from their home computers, and some gathered in their Local Union offices, Joint Council 7 pulled together the largest contingent in one place, with about 200 delegates and alternates sitting socially distanced at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV.

The day before the convention started,

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Labor and gay community honor Allan Baird

On June 25, activists from across the west coast rallied and marched in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco to honor and celebrate the contributions of retired Teamster Allan Baird. The 89-year old activist played a crucial role in labor and LGBTQ+ history. From serving as a president of the newspaper delivery drivers’ union to organizing the Coors beer boycott alongside the gay leader and future San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and activist Howard Wallace,

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AAA Insurance Sales Agents unite for a voice on the Job

AAA insurance sales agents across Northern California voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 665 in June. The election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) via mail-in ballot.

The 460 insurance sales agents work at 77 locations stretching from Merced to the Oregon border.

“These workers stood united because they deserve a strong voice and a secure future at AAA Northern California,” said Business Agent Tom Woods. “They want the stability and strength that comes with a Teamster contract,

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$250,000 arbitration win at UPS

Local 70 Secretary-Treasurer Marty Frates reports that Danny Chong, a UPS Package Driver from the Oakland building, has won his arbitration—including getting made whole for back wages, health and welfare, pension, and more. All told, the arbitration award is about $250,000.

After 30 years at UPS, with a good work record and no discipline, Danny was accused of theft of time and was removed from his job in August 2019. Danny is an Early Air Driver (EAR).

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Food processing Teamsters ratify contract extension

Local 856 Food Processing Teamsters recently ratified an important contract extension, which guarantees the largest across-the-board wage increase in the history of the contract.

The Teamsters Cannery Council agreement, which covers 10,000 Local 856 and Local 948 Teamsters working at canneries throughout the Central Valley, also ensures no increases to healthcare costs and maintains important contract protections and language.

“Food Processing Teamsters have quite literally risked their own lives throughout the pandemic to make certain we could all put food on our tables,” said Ashley Alvarado,

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Card check does the trick

A majority of the 15 drivers, janitors, and maintenance workers at Crothall Healthcare in Gilroy filed cards to show their interest in joining Local 853. They had a laundry list of grievances, including safety, favoritism, mistreatment, and lack of respect. Surprising everyone, including organizer Pablo Barrera, the company recognized the unit.

“We were sure that we’d have a fight on our hands and would have to go to an election,” says Barrera. “But because the Manteca facility is already under contract with Local 386,

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South Bay Recycling members ratify historic contract

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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