News and Press

Automation will impact jobs; how much is up to us

In the past few months, the issues around automation and driverless trucks have become a major focus for Joint Council 7. You may ask why Teamsters should care about automation. The answer is the potential “robot apocalypse.” Some people estimate upwards of four million transportation workers will lose their jobs to automation in the next 5-20 years. Whether and how that happens  will depend on how our employers and our union act on the issue of automation.

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UNFI Drivers in California Choose Teamsters Local 853 Representation

Drivers Join UNFI Workers Across the Country in Seeking Better Working Conditions

(SAN FRANCISCO) –– Drivers with the largest natural and organic food supplier in the United States, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), have chosen representation by Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland.

The 31 drivers based out of Gilroy, Calif., transport supplies for UNFI to major clients like Whole Foods, Amazon, Genentech, Sprouts and Google.

The drivers are seeking fair scheduling and compensation for excess hours,

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Teamsters Say Death of San Francisco Waste Worker Exposes Dangers of the Job

Long Hours Jeopardize the Health, Safety of Drivers and Public at Large

(WASHINGTON—February 15, 2018) – The following is a statement from Teamsters Solid Waste & Recycling Division Director Ron Herrera in response to the death of Jeremy Gordon, a Teamster and 24-year driver at waste provider Recology, who died late last week in a collision while delivering a garbage compactor to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

“The Teamsters are saddened by the tragic passing of Local 350 member Jeremy Gordon last Friday while going about his daily routine,

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Drivers at UNFI in Gilroy vote to join Teamsters

In January, drivers with the largest natural and organic food supplier in the U..S., United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), voted to be represented by Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland. The drivers are seeking fair scheduling and compensation for excess hours, seniority for overtime, improvements to safety and a shorter wage progression, among other gains.

The 31 drivers, based out of Gilroy, transport supplies for UNFI to major clients like Whole Foods, Amazon, Genentech,

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Teamsters on Robots: If You Can’t Beat ’em, Build ’em

Source: Bloomberg Law

Organized labor as a whole is staring down the barrel of automation, but Teamsters in Silicon Valley have found a way to get a shot at jobs in the tech industry.

Manufacturers are gearing up to send delivery robots onto sidewalks, and cities are developing regulations to control sidewalk traffic when the bots are ready to roll. Some California cities have agreed to include in those regulations provisions that encourage the robot makers to hire unionized workers for jobs in the industry.

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