Teamster Ready Mix Drivers Ratify New Agreement

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Aug 15, 2016, 11:14 ET

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a contentious contract rejection of what was characterized as a last, best, and final offer two weeks ago, Northern California Ready Mix drivers working for Cemex and Central Concrete overwhelmingly ratified an offer that was tentatively agreed to last Sunday. More than 400 drivers attending a meeting in the ballroom of the Oakland Hilton ratified the new offer by a 98 percent approval.

A strike in the Northern California Ready Mix industry would have shut down jobs from Santa Clara County into Solano County, including many San Francisco commercial and public jobs and various jobs in Silicon Valley. In all, it would have involved more than 600 Teamsters and affected most of the other building trades unions.

"Again, the power of collective bargaining which gives workers a voice, proved to be the difference in coming to a settlement with the two largest companies in the country. While these employers pay the best wages and benefits in the country, it is often just as important that they hear what their employees want concerning their working conditions. This contract has made sure the employers heard their workers." said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and Northern California Teamsters Joint Council President.

The offer provided for a four year agreement with significant wage and benefit increases, along with an extra holiday, sick leave payoff provisions, and pension contributions for overtime hours.

"I am relieved that we didn't have to go on strike and that a good agreement was reached. I think the fact that my sisters and brothers were willing to fight for what we needed made the difference" said Central Concrete shop steward Scott Gonsalves.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Rome Aloise (510) 915-6430
[email protected]

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SOURCE Teamsters Local 853