Silicon Valley Drivers Vote Unanimously in Favor of Contract Proposal

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Aug. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Shuttle drivers for seven big Silicon Valley companies voted overwhelmingly today to approve a union proposal for a first contract that includes industry-leading wages and benefits. The drivers employed by contractor Compass Transportation/Transdev voted 75-0 in favor. The drivers are members of Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif.

The proposal is the result of nearly five months of negotiations with the company and includes contract language and the entire economic package from Local 853's agreement with Facebook through Loop Transportation. Facebook drivers who are members of Local 853 ratified their agreement in February.

The agreement for Compass/Transdev drivers includes hourly pay increases over the three-year contract; shift differential pay; a six-hour minimum for drivers who do not work split shifts; and employer contributions to a defined pension plan, among other gains. The final offer will next go to Compass Transportation for review.

"The overwhelming vote is an indication of the significance of the changes made by this contract, most of which are going to be life-changing for the people that drive these buses, and for their families," said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and principal officer of Teamsters Local 853.

Shuttle drivers with Compass/Transdev voted overwhelmingly, 104 to 38, in favor of Teamsters Local 853 representation on Feb. 27. The workers organized following the successful vote for Teamsters Local 853 representation by Facebook drivers with Loop Transportation in November.

On Monday, July 27, 140 Google Express warehouse and shipping workers, employed through contractor Adecco, announced they filed for a representation election to join Local 853, in order to improve working conditions and treatment on the job.

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            
raloise@teamsters853.org

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SOURCE Teamsters Local 853