Members Rising 853

BECK/LUA

Respecting the past

Fighting for the future

Signup, Learn & Support

Members Rising 853

BECK/LUA

Respecting the past

Fighting for the future

Signup, Learn & Support

Teamsters 853 Brothers and Sisters

In recent years, the connection between Teamster 853 members and the Teamsters 853 Staff has been eroding. We believe that our union is only as strong as our ties with each other. So as we become disconnected, we become weaker as an organization.

Members Rising 853 is running because we are determined to rebuild those connections. We want to strengthen our Local from the ground up. To consider each and every member, each and every location, and to rise ALL members up for a better future and a better livelihood.

Please consider joining us as we rebuild together.

VICTORY FOR TEAMSTERS LOCAL 853 MEMBERS

By admin | December 6, 2022

Meet Our Team of Professionals

Read Steve Beck's Bio

Experience: 30+ years as a rank and file member, shop steward, Business Agent, and IBT Western division field representative. CO-chair for the California Liquor negotiating committee. Has successfully negotiated or helped negotiate industry-leading contracts in multiple states for the liquor division. Negotiated the first-ever Teamsters Cannabis contract, which is now the industry leader in wages, holidays, H&W, and pension in IBT. Member of Teamsters Assistance Program director's board and holds committee spot on All Charities. Organized or helped organize over 12 locations/divisions/companies adding 500 + new members nationally.

Message from Steve: Why I do the work: I had the opportunity to learn about unions at an early age. My father was in the carpenter's Union, and my first job out of high school was at UPS. I have always had the benefit of knowing what it meant to be protected by a collective bargaining agreement. My family and I have always had the security of a health plan, pension, and wage increases throughout my career.

My overriding belief is that all ships RISE with the tide. And Members Rising 853 is that new tide that will rise all members up. We should not accept some members having good contracts while other members do not.

When I wake up in the morning, I think, who can I help reap the benefits of a good contract? Whose wages, benefits, and livelihoods can I help improve today at my job?

I carry this thought with me all day, every day, as I negotiate contracts for members, defend members, and work side by side with our shop stewards to help members.

So, when presented with the opportunity to be part of the Members Rising Slate, l knew this was my opportunity to improve members' livelihoods on a larger scale. My high-energy, no-quit attitude has helped thousands of members in the Liquor, Cannabis, and bussing industries, and I want this to apply to all the members we represent at Teamsters Local Union 853. I want to bring all members of our Union together so we can raise Teamsters Local 853 to the next level.

In Union,

Steve Beck

Read Steven Lua's Bio

Experience: 9 year Teamster rank and file; 5 years as a Business Agent, 4 years as a principal officer for Teamsters Local 912 before merging with Teamsters Local 853.

Successfully Negotiated contracts in many industries, including warehousing, bottling, Ready-mix, package delivery, and healthcare.

Message from Steven: Why I do the work: After high school, I wanted to make a little money before I went off to San Francisco State for my business degree. I ended up working for a company called Cal Pacific, where there was no union, and the pay was minimum wage. I didn’t know any better because I was just there to make money, and I was happy to have a job. During that summer, I learned that hard and strenuous work doesn’t always pay so well. Everyone worked so hard, yet we only received minimum wage and no benefits such as healthcare or retirement. The work was all contracted through a hiring agency, so there was really no one to raise any concerns to other than the company itself, and their answer was always, "if you don’t like it, there’s the door." A few years later, I had the opportunity to intern with Teamsters Local 912 and help out with putting contracts together and helping out members in the office. My mom had worked for Teamsters 912 for about 12 years at that point, and she was always so good at attending to the member's needs in the office. I saw how appreciative they were to have someone to rely on for the small and big issues in the workplace. I quickly realized that this is what was missing at Cal Pacific. A voice and a fight to show the employer that these hard-working individuals deserved more than a finger pointed towards the door. They deserved respect, benefits, and a living wage.

I became passionate about this work and was asked by the Principal officer to stay on as he saw that I was able to understand the fight and capitalize for the needs of our members. I never stopped, and I took this battle to the companies each day. From historic wage increases to winning the least favorable grievances, I knew that each win was a step in the right direction to give our members what they deserve. Today I get the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals at Local 853 and other locals in the area and not only learn from them but also share the knowledge I have gained through successful battles alongside the members who show up each day to fight. The Members Rising slate is the epitome of what it means to fight and win. This slate is backed by some of the hardest working individuals that I am proud to call my brothers and sisters. To have the support of the agents and members of the local is a blessing, and I will not stop fighting alongside them and for them until we all get exactly what we deserve.

Read Ray Torres's Bio

Experience:
Rank and File Member for 28 years
Business Agent 9 years
Trustee 4 years
Steward for 5 years
Chaired contract negotiations for Sysco Foods, UNFI, Kelloggs, Bridgestone & Goodyear tire, T Marzetti, & Certainteed

Current board member Teamsters Hispanic Caucus

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

Why I do the job:
In the 1980s, my family immigrated to the United States under the migrant worker program. When I was a kid, my family would move from town to town following crop harvests around the United States. Both my mom and dad worked as crop harvesters.
It was very challenging to get an education or a stable life as we constantly moved for work.
But in 1989, my dad got a tip on a Teamster job that changed our lives dramatically. The company was called Leather Back industries.
When he was hired, his wages and benefits allowed my mom to stop working, and I and my two brothers and sister now had a stable place to grow up, make friends, and go to school.

In 1994 when I graduated high school, my dad secured me a job with Leather Back industries, and I have been a lifelong Teamster ever since.

I am a product of the dramatic life-changing power of a good Teamster job with strong wages and benefits.
Every day I go to work, I strive to bring that kind of positive life-changing support that my family received to the members of Teamsters Local Union 853.

Read Mike Henneberry's Bio

Experience:
Union Member since 1983, Steward, Business Agent, Political Coordinator

Successfully Negotiated contracts in many industries, including grocery, retail pharmacy, hospitality, sporting venues, entertainment, transportation, and healthcare.

Message from Mike. Why I do the Job:
My family has been involved in the Labor Movement in the Bay Area since we immigrated here. We've been merchant seamen, electricians, state workers, retail clerks, butchers, machinists, laborers, office & professional employees, and of course, teamsters. I think of what unions have done for my family and your family and what their legacy will do for future generations every day.
I went to work at Piedmont Grocery in Oakland in 1983. Two weeks later, I became a shop steward. Five years later, I went to work for the labor council, and five years after that, I went to work as a business agent in the grocery industry. I came on board at Local 853 in 2018.
I've been through numerous sets of negotiations, strikes, boycotts, political campaigns, and everything else that falls upon the Business Agent to get the job done.
My motivation throughout my career has been the well-being of our members and their families. I will continue to fight for these convictions as your recording secretary.

In an attempt to intimidate the Members Rising Slate, on Thursday afternoon, October 13th, Dennis Hart and Lou Valletta called me into the office and stated, "your services are no longer needed." I was terminated on the spot with no paperwork, no warnings, and no reason, verbally or in writing.

Despite this development, I will not be intimidated, I will remain on the slate of Members Rising 853, and with your critical support, we will win together!
We ask for your support in this election, and I promise your trust in me will not be misplaced.

Read Gloria Segura's Bio

Read Joel Bellison's Bio

Read Andrew Nunes's Bio

Hart-Valletta has fired our Recording Secretary and suspended our Vice President to maintain their grip on power.

By admin | November 17, 2022

In the Last 15 Days, Dennis Hart(Secretary-Treasurer) and Lou Valletta(President) have FIRED Mike Henneberry and suspended Ray Torres. Two of our slate’s four officers. Why? It’s a desperate last-ditch effort to maintain their grip on power. Dennis Hart and Lou Valletta, along with their new acolyte, Johnny Gallegos, have decided that they would lose a […]

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