Workers at Graniterock Ratify their Strongest Contract To Date
July 14, 2026
For Immediate Release
July 13, 2026
Workers at Graniterock Ratify their Strongest Contract To Date
Contract includes 20% Wage Increases, Strengthened Health and Welfare Benefits
(WATSONVILLE, Calif.) — 49 workers at Graniterock covering both Santa Cruz and Monterey counties voted to ratify one of the strongest contracts in the industry across the region. The contract delivers full Teamsters healthcare, strengthenedretirement benefits and a 20 percent wage increase over the life of the contract.
Workers in the unit are drivers from the Santa Cruz, Monterey and Salinas facilities operating ready mix vehicles throughout the region and building material drivers that operate only in the Graniterock yards, loading and unloading materials. Workers in Santa Cruz County are represented by Teamsters Local 853 and in Monterrey County workers are represented by Teamsters Local 856.
“This contract is a vital win for me and my colleagues across Graniterock. We work with heavy vehicles, machinery and materials that could have an impact on our health and safety,” said Heather Whitlow a shop steward and bargaining committee member. “We were clear from day one at the bargaining table that this contract must ensure every worker’s health benefits and wages, that support many of our families, must be the top priority and because workers remained united, we were able to deliver all of those provisions.”
Steven Lua, Local 853 President and lead negotiator for the unit said, “Graniterock workers are setting the bar high for units and companies in the region with this contract. The new three-year agreement is a victory that was won by the workers, they put in the time and remained united throughout the process to ensure the company heard loud and clear their demands.”
Graniterock operates across Northern California supplying and delivering construction materials such as aggregate, sand, concrete, recycled aggregate and hot mix asphalt among other materials for projects across the region.
Richie Andazola Local 856 Business Agent said, “We want to thank Local 853 for leading the way during the negotiations. With the strength of the workers combined with Local 853 and 856 expertise at the bargaining table we knew we could get this across the finish line with strengthened benefits across the board.”
“Congratulations to every worker at Graniterock on this important contract win. I want to also give a big thank you to our President Steven Lua for his leadership on this contract. This win is the culmination of many months of planning and dedication ensuring our members have the strongest contracts possible,” said Steve Beck, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer.
Teamsters Local 853 represents nearly 15,000 members the Greater Bay Area and beyond. The Local was originally founded as a general warehouse house union and has since expanded with membership across industries. To learn more please visit: teamsters853.org
Founded in 1949, Teamsters Local 856 represents more than 25,000 hardworking members in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Sacramento, and Central Valley communities. To learn more please visit: teamsters856.org
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