Workers Are Seeking Strong Teamster Representation, Bargaining Clout
The workers have voted over the past several weeks and ballots were counted today. About 61 percent voted in favor of Teamster representation. The workers had been solely represented by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA), but now they have the added benefits of Teamster representation.(San Bernardino, CA) – San Bernardino County public employees have voted to affiliate with the Teamsters Union, paving the way for more than 13,500 workers to have a more secure future, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa announced today.
“The Teamsters have the resources, expertise and clout to negotiate the strongest contracts possible. This vote shows that San Bernardino County public employees understand this and want Teamster power at the bargaining table,” Hoffa said. “We have been successful representing public employees across the country, including those employed in cities, towns, counties and public universities, such as the University of California system, Penn State and the University of Minnesota. We expect to be able to help the workers in San Bernardino as well.”
“We know about the Teamsters’ strong track record of winning improved wages, benefits and working conditions for public employees, so this is a great day for us,” said Kathleen Brennan, a county Information Services Department employee. “We look forward to having real Teamster power when it’s time to sit at the bargaining table.”
The Teamsters Union has been successful in winning wage and benefit gains for the 14,000 members of Local 2010 employed at the University of California. The union also represents employees of police and fire departments across the state, as well as teaching assistants in Los Angeles public schools. There are more than 260,000 public employees nationwide who are Teamster members.
The more than 13,500 workers in San Bernardino provide vital services to the public, working at hospitals, in public works and public health services departments, police departments and in dozens of other public positions.
“The San Bernardino public employees reached out to us and we are excited to stand shoulder to shoulder with these dedicated public servants in negotiating strong Teamster contracts,” said Randy Cammack, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42 in Pomona, Calif. “These public employees in San Bernardino are now members of the newly formed Teamsters Local 1932.”
Teamsters Joint Council 42 is the parent body of 22 Teamster local unions in Southern California and other areas of the West, with more than 200,000 working Teamsters and retirees.
