Workers at Recology’s organics unit in Gilroy join union
January 5, 2022
On October 22, 2021, the eight-person Recology South Valley Organics unit located in Gilroy, CA voted unanimously to join Teamsters Local 350.
“Organize, Organize, Organize – that’s been the rallying cry of the Teamsters organization and a number one priority for me as an officer of Local 350,” said President Sergio Arrañaga. “This brave unit of women and men knew that organizing and joining the fold was the only way to ensure their own contract with good economics and worker protection language that they’ve never had before.”
This small Recology unit had been one of the last remaining non-union holdouts in the Locals jurisdiction but had long known of the benefits received by their union counterparts. “They’ve witnessed firsthand the good quality of life that comes with a Teamster contract when our members would go up to their facility and tell them all the benefits they had. With COVID-19 and the uncertainty of an at-will employee, they wanted their own voice and I’m proud to say, have joined the family, congratulations to them!” “Arriaga added.
The interest had been brewing for some time by this unit, but as with most of the world, COVID-19 put a halt to their plans. Aaron Tobia, a five-year employee, was determined to see this through and join Local 350. “My coworkers and I wanted to join Teamsters Local 350 because we wanted to have worker protection, wanted to plan for our futures, and have union benefits for our families. Aside from that, having a real voice on the job with the backing of a union that’ll be heard when there are issues at the workplace will enable us to build a better work environment.”
This unit includes laborers, utility operators, equipment operators and weighmasters that receive approximately 40,000 tons of yard trimming from residents in the South Bay Area.
“Joining Teamsters Local 350 brings us excitement for a new beginning,” Tobia added. “We’re eager to have a voice and we feel privileged for this opportunity.”
