For Immediate Release                                                                               

February 13, 2017           

 Contact: Tim Jenkins, (415) 275-0528, tjenkins@ibt856.org

Peninsula Humane Society Teamsters reject management contract that would silence future whistleblowers

Proposal seen as potential threat to animal safety
Shortly after whistleblowers at the Peninsula Humane Society went public with concerns about animal welfare, PHS management proposed a new contract that would let management deny a cost-of-living increase to any individual without appeal, in the guise of what they claim is “merit-based pay.” After making the proposal, PHS management violated confidential mediation rules and labor laws in an attempt to influence the Union’s vote to pass the contract. This effort overwhelmingly failed, with 90% voter participation and a 3 to 1 vote against it. In addition, Union members have authorized a strike.

“Our members have the responsibility to speak up for animals in their care and we will use all the resources of our Local Union to protect them from retaliation,” said Peter Finn, Teamsters 856 Principal Officer.

.Founded in 1949, Teamsters Local 856 represents more than 10,000 hardworking members in the San Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Sacramento, and Central Valley communities.