California Teamster Reach Contract Agreement

August 18, 2016 
By John Quinn, LaborPress USA

San Francisco, CA – A tentative agreement has been reached between Teamsters Local 853 and Cemex Central Concrete Supply.

Fortunately a settlement was reached since a strike would have shut down concrete work from Santa Clara County into Solano County, including many San Francisco commercial and public jobs. A work stoppage would have involved more than 600 Teamsters and affected most other building trades.

The union will formally present the producers’ offer to rank & file on August 14. The contract contains significant wage and benefit increases while holding fast on other terms and conditions the employers attempted to modify. Teamsters  were prepared to begin picketing the employers' ready mixed facilities if the negotiations did not settle the areas of contention.

"Our members spoke loud and clear concerning the original offer. Although a decent economic offer, it had some areas regarding working conditions that our members were not ready to accept," says IBT Vice President and Northern California Teamsters Joint Council President Rome Aloise. "A long session with the employers was held in a last ditch attempt to prevent what would have been a devastating work stoppage for many people and construction sites. I am happy to report that we have reached a settlement that our bargaining committee has endorsed unanimously."