New Teamsters approve strong contract at SamTrans

SamTrans Facilities Teamsters from left to right: Richard Acacio, Manny Ochoa, Alfred Taylor, Carlos Castaneda, and Juan Hernandez

Congratulations to SamTrans Facilities Tech Teamsters on their first contract as members of Local 856! 

At SamTrans, a public transportation agency in San Mateo County, Facilities Maintenance Technicians are known as the “fix it guys”. They can be spotted doing repairs to various buildings and bus stops, everything from plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, to repairing bus stop shelters.

In August, after a year-long fight on the bargaining table, this group of new Teamsters stood together, negotiated and voted to approve a strong union contract. When they became members of Teamsters 856, they joined four other classifications at SamTrans who were already members, building even more union power in their workplaces.

“We were stuck at a certain pay grade that would have never moved. Once you got to a certain level, they never wanted to give you a raise.  I have a co-worker who had been there for ten years and only received one raise. Now, we’re all going to get raises. I’d always heard that the Teamsters were a strong union. Just the name is like great backing for the worker. I’m really happy and proud to have a good union behind us.” —Richard Acacio, SamTrans Teamster