The Valley Chronicle - Newly Organized Southern California Sanitation Workers

COVINA, Calif. – The Ex_x0002_ecutive Board of Teamsters Local 396 congratulates over 300 sanitation work_x0002_ers at CR&R in Perris and Cherry Valley, California, who just ratified their first union contract with Team_x0002_sters Local 396. This group of brave work_x0002_ers initially won their union election in Decem_x0002_ber 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. By standing shoulder to shoulder, workers at CR&R formed their bargaining committee and have now ratified the first union con_x0002_tract that guarantees them job protections, wage in_x0002_creases, affordable full fam_x0002_ily healthcare, and pension contributions.

This group of nearly 300 sanitation workers serves communi_x0002_ties throughout the Inland Empire region of Southern California, including San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Teamsters Local 396 currently represents over 3,000 sanitation work_x0002_ers throughout Southern California and is among the largest Teamster sanitation locals in the U.S. Ron Herrera, Secre_x0002_tary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 stated, “These es_x0002_sential workers organized despite the COVID-19 pan_x0002_demic and have now rati_x0002_fied their first contract with Teamsters Local 396.

This is a major step forward for them and their families. Under this contract, many workers in this bargaining unit will immediately re_x0002_ceive a raise on average of between $3.00 and $8.00 per hour. Over the span of the five-year contract, worker wages will increase between 16 and 26 percent, in addi_x0002_tion to having full family healthcare, and significant contributions into the West_x0002_ern Conference of Team_x0002_sters Pension. This group of essential workers have truly demonstrated the grit and tenacity that all Teamsters have.”