Teamsters at Stericycle in Hayward California Overwhelmingly Ratify First Contract
June 1, 2026
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2026
Teamsters at Stericycle Overwhelmingly Ratify First Contract
Solidarity From Day One Delivered Results at the Bargaining Table
(HAYWARD, Calif.) — 32 workers at Stericycle overwhelmingly ratified their first contract after organizing in January 2026. The inaugural contract increases job opportunities and strengthens workers’ rights at the facility.
“From our initial conversations with workers in the unit we knew that they were dedicated, and ready to put in the work to secure a strong first contract. Everyone in the unit stayed patient and stood in solidarity throughout the process to ensure provisions outlined in the agreement benefited both Drivers and Workers in the warehouse,” said Susana Perez, Teamsters Local 70 Business Agent.
The agreement includes language to provide warehouse workers with a pipeline to become a Driver through training and codifies that Warehouse workers have a first right at open Driver positions internally before the company may go through an external hiring process. The contract also strengthens worker protections, including implementing a formal grievance procedure and seniority and bid rights for all classification of workers in the unit.
“We want to welcome and congratulate the workers at Stericycle to Local 70,” said Felix Martinez, Teamsters Local 70 Secretary-Treasurer. “What started as a conversation quickly turned into action. This group was united from day one and with their work we went to the bargaining table with clear demands and walked away with a contract that boosts wages and benefits for everyone.”
Workers in the unit are Drivers and Warehouse workers serving the East Bay from Hayward to the South Bay. Drivers and Warehouse workers provide an essential waste hauling service in coordination with hospitals and medical facilities to dispose of harmful waste to keep our communities and facilities clean and healthy.
“Thank you to Teamsters Local 70 for your leadership and guidance in securing our first contract,” said Brian Bauer, Driver at Stericycle and bargaining committee member. “This has been a long time coming and I knew that with the Teamsters on our side we had a good shot to organize the unit and secure a monumental first contract that we all deserve.”
The unit fvoted to join Teamsters Local 70 after working hard to serve communities and facilities during the height of the pandemic, handling extremely harmful waste. Stericycle now owned by Waste Management, one of the wealthiest waste haulersin the world, delayed wage increases, protections on the job and promotions time after time.
“This first contract is a huge step in improving the life of me and my colleagues,” said Kevin Brooks, Warehouse Worker at Stericycle and bargaining committee member. “With the strength of Local 70 we are now protected on the job and finally have what the workers have been asking for years. Stericycle, a subsidiary of Waste Management, didn’t respect our worth but because all of us workers stood together, we can now stand up and demand the wage and worker protections we deserve.”
Teamsters Local 70 represents more than 5,000 members across various industries covering Oakland, Hayward, San Leandro, Fremont and many more East Bay communities. For more information, please visit teamsterslocal70.org
