Sysco Workers in Bay Area Authorize Strike for Fair Contract Demand

Sysco Workers Push for Fair Contract Amid Rising Costs

(SAN FRANCISCO) – In the face of escalating living expenses, more than 400 employees at Sysco San Francisco have voiced their readiness to strike if their demands for a fair contract are not met. The workers, representing roles from drivers to warehouse staff, are calling for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions akin to those obtained by their counterparts at other food service firms in the Bay Area.

Andy Gonzalez, a driver and member of Teamsters Local 853, emphasized the urgency of their cause, stating, “San Francisco is one of the most expensive places to live on earth, and we need a contract that keeps up with inflation. None of us want to be on strike, but it is time for management to come to the table with a serious proposal. Anything less will result in us hitting the picket line.”

Local 853 has recently marked significant successes against Sysco's main competitors. Earlier this year, VISTAR employees, a Performance Food Group (PFG) subsidiary, voted to join the union. Similarly, newly organized US Foods Teamsters secured a favorable first contract after a prolonged strike.

Steve Beck, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 853, remarked on the changing labor landscape, “A few years ago, Sysco stood alone as the only unionized food service provider in the Bay Area. That is no longer the case. Their competitors are now Teamsters shops too. Sysco cannot lowball our members anymore by hiding behind nonunion competition. We demand a contract in line with what other Teamsters in this industry have already won.”

This authorization is not an isolated incident. Recently, Local 162 in Portland also voted overwhelmingly to strike, with more than 270 members expressing dissatisfaction with their pending contract negotiations, potentially affecting nearly 800 workers on the West Coast.

With Sysco's significant profitability—reporting $1.95 billion in net profits in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year—the pressure mounts to meet worker demands. The strike authorization allows Local 853 to initiate a work stoppage post-October 31, 2025, if necessary.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, stressed the union's resolve, stating, “Sysco has absolutely no excuses to offer anything less than a contract that puts Local 853 members on par with what other Teamsters in the Bay Area and across the country have won. Make no mistake — if Sysco fails to do right by these workers, they will face the power of Teamsters solidarity.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million members across North America. More details can be found at Teamster.org. Follow their updates on X via @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.