Teamster News

Hospital workers stand strong for a good contract

After long contentious negotiations, that included a one-day strike in December, front-line health care Teamsters 856 members at Sutter Health Eden Medical Center (EMC) in Castro Valley have ratified a new contract that increases wages and protects hard-fought contract language.

The 140 Teamsters 856 members at EMC include respiratory therapists, lab techs, imaging techs, and other health care professionals who have been on the front lines of the pandemic since its onset last spring.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Cal State workers negotiate COVID-19 leave pay

Local 2010’s bargaining team for CSU workers negotiated another round of leave benefits for members to help maintain their jobs and livelihoods. Teamsters working at CSU campuses throughout California will now have access to 256 additional paid leave hours for use between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021. This is twice the amount going to other CSU bargaining units that don’t have similar settlement agreements.

“Our union agreed that we are past the emergent phase of COVID-19 and that maintaining all CSU workers’ base pay is critical through the remainder of this pandemic,” said Skilled Trades Director Drew Scott.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Helping members and community cope with COVID

Teamsters Local 890 has continued to be active in helping members and the wider working community cope with the difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Led by Principal Officer Crescencio Diaz, Local 890 has worked with local County Supervisors, growers, the Shippers Association, and the local health system to make COVID-19 vaccines available to Teamsters and other essential workers. Through these efforts, Local 890 ensured that food processing and agricultural workers are in Tier 1. 

… Read more »

Keep reading

Teamsters Local 350 supports $100 million settlement for Recology ratepayers

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.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Bringing in new members

After a months-long fight that included layoffs, election challenges by the company, and several unfair labor practice charges filed by the union, on February 16, 2021, 22 Sierra Transport LLC drivers based in Bakersfield voted to join Teamsters Local 87.

“This huge victory was won despite the pandemic and the Trump NLRB,” says Secretary-Treasurer John Moralez. “Clearly, the Sierra drivers really wanted union representation because they stood strong through all kinds of employer shenanigans.”

The Settlement Stipulation includes returning the five laid-off employees to work and ensuring that the employer pays out more than $76,000 in back wages to those who were wrongfully laid off.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Young UPS driver dies in truck accident

Rayland Elzy, Local 948

On Friday, February 5th, a tragic truck accident took the life of Local 948 member Rayland Elzy, Jr. He had been a UPS package driver out of the Visalia hub, and a Teamster since 2018.

Elzy and his long-time girlfriend had just gotten engaged and were ready to start their future before this tragedy. “He was an energetic, young man who had a good heart, and had become a leader at UPS,” says Local 948 Secretary-Treasurer Luis Diaz.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Bloch named to State commission

Governor Gavin Newsom has reappointed Doug Bloch, Political Director of Teamsters Joint Council 7, to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation, where he has served since 2012.

“We advise the state’s elected and appointed officials on how to make California jobs safer and healthier.  The Commission’s work means fewer Teamsters get injured on the job and if you do, we want to make sure you get the medical treatment you need so you can return to work safely and in one piece.,”

… Read more »

Keep reading

Teamsters win public office

In November, three more rank and file Local 856 members were elected to office after each not only won their race, but were also the top vote-getters in their respective contests. In addition, Local 856 Staff Attorney Malia Vella was re-elected to the Alameda City Council. As the top vote-getter in her race, she will serve as the city’s vice mayor. 

 “It’s important for working families to have a seat at the table,” says Vella.

… Read more »

Keep reading

Starting new year with mixed election bag

2020 began with such promise on both the work and political fronts. The economy was strong and labor was united in its political goals. However, after nine months of pandemic lockdowns, the economy has been booming for some and devastating for others.

Politically, while we’ll be able to count on a new Presidential administration—one that is much friendlier to workers and unions, at this writing, which party holds the Senate majority is in the hands of Georgians.

… Read more »

Keep reading