(SAN LEANDRO, Calif.) – Shuttle bus drivers who are employed by Facebook contractor Loop Transportation have voted unanimously to ratify a strong first agreement. The 87 members of Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif., have made a number of improvements to their working conditions, including wage increases, seniority provisions, guaranteed hours, health care, retirement and more.

“These are life changing improvements for these drivers that will allow them to live a more sustainable life, support their families, have decent health care and plan for the future. We commend Loop, and of course, Facebook, who acknowledge that the people that support Facebook need to be included in the American Dream,” said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853.   

“I’ve been with Loop for two years and I’m grateful to everyone at the local, including Rome Aloise and Rodney Smith, for this contract,” said Sean Hinman, a shuttle bus driver. “I’m happy we have a grievance and arbitration procedure. I really like the retirement plan and the lower premium for medical coverage. And we are very happy with the improvements to the split shift, which was a big issue for us.” 

Loop Transportation drivers who shuttle Facebook employees to and from the company’s Menlo Park, Calif., campus voted overwhelmingly in November to join Local 853. Within the span of a few months, these workers have gained a contract that includes 11 paid holidays; up to five weeks paid vacation; paid bereavement leave; guaranteed hours based on scheduled shifts; seniority provisions; health care for workers and the families of full time workers, fully paid by Loop; a minimum six-hour day for workers who can’t work split shifts; wage increases for workers on split shifts; pay-rate protections; guaranteed overtime; paid jury duty and more. 

With this contract, the average pay for workers at Loop, who live in one of the most expensive areas of the country, will be $24.50 an hour, up from $18 an hour. 

“We are very pleased with this contract and to be able to improve the lives of the men and women who work hard every day to keep Silicon Valley running,” Aloise said.  

The agreement will now be submitted to Facebook by Loop Transportation for their acceptance as the paying client. 

On Friday, Feb. 27, more tech company shuttle bus drivers employed by Compass Transportation who shuttle Apple, Yahoo, eBay, Zynga, Genentech and Amtrak workers will vote in their Teamster election. 

For more information on tech worker organizing with the Teamsters, visit: https://teamster.org/tech-drivers-deserve-union.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union 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 “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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