More than 4,000 members who work in the cannery industry across the Central Valley ratified their new collective bargaining agreements in July.

Stanislaus Foods and Con Agra Brands, two national industry leaders in tomato processing, were part of the three-year Master Agreement. The 2,400 members at those two facilities agreed to a contract that also contains historic wage and benefit increases. The Master Agreement also covers Local 856 members in San Joaquin County and several other locations in Northern California.

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The 60 forklift drivers, loaders, unloaders, and sanitation workers at US Cold Storage in Tracy ratified a new two-year contract that includes historic wage increases, improved working conditions, a better health care plan, a better attendance policy, and other major improvements.

“I would like to give credit to Business Agent Gil Gomez, and the members themselves, for a great job,” said Secretary-Treasurer Sal Lomeli. “The talks were very contentious, but in the end,

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The three-person clerical unit at Recology of the Coast in Pacifica, CA, voted in September to ratify their first-ever agreement with the Teamsters Local 350. The unit had initially voted to join the union in May of 2022.

“I am thrilled to be part of the strong bond and support of the brotherhood and sisterhood of the Teamsters Union!” said Bernadette Chursin, a four-year employee and bargaining committee member.

Upon ratification,

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The UFW and supporters marched 335 miles from Delano to Sacramento to get public support for AB 2183. This bill would enable voting in union elections by mail or at an Agriculture Labor Relations Office,enabling farmworkers to vote without the threat of employer intimidation.

On August 26, supporters came to Sacramento for a rally—honoring those who walked during the heat of summer and pushing the governor to sign the bill. 

JC7 was there—President Jason Rabinowitz addressed the crowd,

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Can you tell that it’s 108° out? Across the nation, unions turned out at restaurants serviced by Sysco to let Sysco’s customers know that the company is not bargaining in good faith. Unfortunately, Local 853’s assigned day was the hottest in human memory! Fortunately, that didn’t stop the intrepid staff from leafleting at Cheesecake Factory restaurants in Pleasanton and San Jose in August.

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Workers at Dole—Soledad ratified their new three-year contract in August. They will get wage increases of up to $4/hour and numerous improvements and upgrades. President Crescencio Diaz and Business agent Luis Flores credited the gains to the strong and experienced Teamster committee who represented the workers. 

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Local 517 Secretary-Treasurer Greg Landers proudly announced that the 63 employees at NutraBlend, a subsidiary of Land O Lakes in Madera that manufactures agricultural feed, voted by a large margin to be represented by the Teamsters. Ballots were counted September 1, 2022. Landers is looking forward to securing them a great first contract. 

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In March, the 100 or so food service delivery drivers at the Sysco facilities in Fresno and Modesto voted to become Teamsters with Locals 431 and 386, respectively.  Bargaining began in early June, and the company has agreed to have one contract for both Locals.

At press time, negotiations have been completed around seniority, grievance procedure, bidding language as well as territory. “We are beginning to talk economics and we will get our new hard-working members the benefits they deserve,” said Local 431 President Peter Nuñez,

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