News & Publications

On Wednesday, November 22, Teamsters 856 members at the Le Méridien hotel, now known as The Jay, in San Francisco ratified their first union contract in bargaining unit history.

Following the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) decision to halt the autonomous vehicle company Cruise’s robotaxi permit in San Francisco, California Teamsters are calling on CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds to resign.

Mobile collections workers at American Red Cross in Oakland have voted unanimously to join Teamsters Local 856. Oakland Red Cross workers join fixed collections workers in Newark and Pleasanton who became members of Local 856 two weeks prior.

The following statement is from Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 856:

The 2023 Teamsters Women’s Conference kicked off on Monday, August 28, setting the stage for a vibrant celebration of unity, empowerment, and progress. With over 1,500 Teamster women in attendance, this year’s conference was the largest in our history. “I couldn’t be prouder of our Teamsters 856 members who represented our local at the TeamstersRead More >

On Friday, July 28, Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) Teamsters ratified a new contract closing months of intense negotiations.

It was standing room only at the Dent Center as over 110 Mount Diablo Unified School District Teamsters packed the school board meeting on Wednesday, May 10, demanding board members invest in our students and provide a fair contract for classified workers. 

For the second week, Crowne Plaza SFO Teamsters 856 members, accompanied by Scabby the Rat and dozens of Bay Area union members, rallied on Thursday, May 5, to protest and picket at the Crowne Plaza SFO hotel calling on the company to do the right thing and negotiate a fair contract.

On Monday, January 30, Local 856 members joined hundreds of fellow Teamsters and lawmakers at the State Capitol to highlight the introduction of Teamster-sponsored legislation that would require human operators to be present in autonomous vehicles (AVs) weighing over 10,000 pounds. “Here’s the bottom line: big corporations are trying to implement autonomous vehicles for oneRead More >

Dozens of union members and elected officials joined the Crowne Plaza SFO Teamsters Local 856 members on Thursday, November 17, for an informational leaflet in front of the hotel demanding a fair contract and calling for hotel ownership to bargain in good faith.  Special thanks to CA State Senator Josh Becker, Burlingame Councilmember Emily Beach,Read More >

Members of Local 856 joined hundreds of Teamsters from across the country for the 45th Annual Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC) Educational Conference in New Orleans, last August. “It felt like home,” said Barry Deandre Anderson, Shop Steward, Sunsweet. “I am an activist in, and out of work, so it was great to get involved andRead More >

Statement from Peter Finn, Teamster Food Processing Division Director and Teamsters Local 856 Secretary-Treasurer on the passing of SB 490 – The Buy American Food Act: “The Teamsters Food Processing Division thanks Governor Gavin Newsom for signing SB 490 to strengthen Buy American requirements for school meals. Once again, California leads the nation and isRead More >

May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, also knows as Asian Pacific American Month, when we celebrate the incredible history, culture, and accomplishments of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The AAPI community has had and profound impact on the Labor Movement and the fight for justice. We’re taking a look atRead More >

(MARTINEZ, Calif.) — More than 2,100 Contra Costa County workers have overwhelmingly voted to ratify a new two-year contract, averting a strike. The members of Teamsters Local 856, who work in health services, licensed vocational nursing, and general services and maintenance, had authorized a strike by 92 percent and were set to walk off theRead More >

Teamsters aren’t afraid of a fight. With the AI revolution upon us, now is the time for workers to make our voices heard against Big Tech and greedy corporations that want to replace us with robots. Teamsters do not oppose new technology that enhances work, makes work safer, or creates new jobs in the supplyRead More >

(MARTINEZ, CALIF.) — More than 2,000 Contra Costa County Teamsters are poised to walk off the job after voting by over 90% to authorize a strike if a new agreement cannot be reached.  Contra Costa County Teamsters work in over 250 classifications, serving the public throughout the County in health services, general services and maintenance, and licensedRead More >

Effective negotiations require a multi-pronged approach that combines smart bargaining with a legal, communications, political, and organizing strategy that creates the most leverage possible to convince, persuade, and sometimes force, employers to see our point of view.  The last few months have proven that Local 856 members are ready and willing to take action whenRead More >

(GREENBRAE, CALIF.) – Nearly 500 Technical and Professional MarinHealth Medical Center (MHMC) employees have announced a 24-hour Unfair Labor Practice strike starting at 7 a.m., February 18 until 6:59 a.m., February 19, 2026. The employees voted to strike by 98% earlier this month after nearly a year of negotiations wherein MHMC has met its workersRead More >