Teamsters Local 853 Begins Negotiations For Tech Company Shuttle Drivers

Silicon Valley Shuttle Drivers Seek Improvements from Big Tech Contractor

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Mar 31, 2015, 02:55 ET

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Negotiations on a union contract for Silicon Valley tech company drivers will begin today. Representatives for the drivers' union, Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif., will meet with Transdev, which operates as Compass Transportation, and employs drivers at Apple, eBay, Yahoo, Zynga, Genentech, Amtrak and Evernote.

The union will propose the same wages, benefits and terms and conditions of employment that are included in the recently negotiated and implemented contract for drivers for Facebook contractor Loop Transportation.

While companies like Apple have recently ordered their bus contractors to boost workers' pay by 25 percent, this overall package still does not meet the level of worker compensation and benefits contained in the Teamsters Local 853 agreement recently negotiated with Loop Transportation.

Shuttle drivers who transport tech company employees for Compass Transportation voted overwhelmingly, 104 to 38, in favor of Teamsters Local 853 representation on Feb. 27. The 158 full and part-time drivers shuttle Apple, eBay, Yahoo, Zynga, Genentech, Amtrak and Evernote employees to and from work and home.

The workers organized following the successful vote for Teamsters Local 853 representation by Facebook drivers with Loop Transportation in November. On Feb. 21, Facebook drivers voted unanimously in favor of a contract that includes significant wage increases, paid health care, retirement, guaranteed hours and improved working conditions, among many other gains.

With this contract, the average pay for workers at Loop, who live in one of the most expensive areas of the country, is $27.50 an hour, including split differential, up from $18 an hour.

The Teamsters Union is part of a growing movement of labor, faith and community-based organizations and workers challenging income inequality in Silicon Valley through an innovative partnership called Silicon Valley Rising.

For more information on tech worker organizing with the Teamsters, visit: http://teamster.org/tech-drivers-deserve-union.

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 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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

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SOURCE Teamsters Local 853