On October 8, 2025, a packed house overwhelmingly ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with 96% of members present voting in favor and only four “no” votes. With this vote, Teamsters Local 350 successfully secured the strongest and most lucrative contract in the unit’s history.
The bargaining unit, comprised of over 150 members including truck drivers, mechanics, and welders, held their proposal meeting on April 1, 2025, where members made their priorities clear.
“There was no question that this group had fallen behind the area standard,” said Lead Negotiator and Principal Officer Robert Sandoval. “From the beginning, we identified areas in the contract where we could significantly enhance worker protections. The members came into this process with high expectations, and rightfully so, given how their compensation and working conditions compared to those of others in the San Jose region within our Local. I’m incredibly proud to say that we met every goal they set. This agreement delivers the largest one-year increase upfront in both wages and pension contributions in the unit’s history, immediately establishing parity. It introduces strong new protections, including language around the use of technology, a complete overhaul of the process for casual and relief drivers, and the formal codification of long-standing practices. It also establishes a first-of-its-kind premium pay for mechanics performing road calls, and recognizes Juneteenth as a 13th paid holiday. These improvements raise the bar for the entire industry. Our members earned this, they absolutely deserve it and they are the standard now.”
Members work at GreenTeam of San Jose and West Valley, providing garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection services to residential and commercial customers in San Jose and parts of unincorporated Santa Clara County. They also provide roll-off services for construction and commercial debris.
The bargaining committee included Principal Officer Sandoval, retired Secretary-Treasurer John Bouchard, Business Representatives Larry Daugherty, Sergio Arranaga, and David Rodriguez. Elected member representatives included Shop Steward Ralph Ascenso, Daniel Medina, Jesse Munoz, and Jordan Reis.
Sandoval also acknowledged the dedication and patience of the unit: “These negotiations took time, no doubt, but the group’s resilience and insistence on clarity around working conditions paid off. There was no room for gray areas, and every detail mattered.”
Committee member Jesse Munoz, serving for the second time, reflected, “I was proud to see our union fight so hard for us. We achieved significant gains throughout the agreement, including much-needed language improvements, premium pay for mechanics, and major wage and pension increases. Special thanks to Principal Officer Sandoval, Larry Daugherty, and Sergio Arranaga for their dedication and for always putting the members first.”
This landmark contract underscores the power of collective bargaining and the strength of unity within Teamsters Local 350. It sets a new standard for wages, benefits, and working conditions, while reaffirming the essential contributions of waste and recycling workers to their communities. With this historic agreement in place, Teamsters Local 350 continues to fight for the dignity, respect, and compensation its members deserve.
GreenTeam of San Jose/West Valley ratify new CBA!
On October 8, 2025, a packed house overwhelmingly ratified a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with 96% of members present voting in favor and only four “no” votes. With this vote, Teamsters Local 350 successfully secured the strongest and most lucrative contract in the unit’s history.
The bargaining unit, comprised of over 150 members including truck drivers, mechanics, and welders, held their proposal meeting on April 1, 2025, where members made their priorities clear.
“There was no question that this group had fallen behind the area standard,” said Lead Negotiator and Principal Officer Robert Sandoval. “From the beginning, we identified areas in the contract where we could significantly enhance worker protections. The members came into this process with high expectations, and rightfully so, given how their compensation and working conditions compared to those of others in the San Jose region within our Local. I’m incredibly proud to say that we met every goal they set. This agreement delivers the largest one-year increase upfront in both wages and pension contributions in the unit’s history, immediately establishing parity. It introduces strong new protections, including language around the use of technology, a complete overhaul of the process for casual and relief drivers, and the formal codification of long-standing practices. It also establishes a first-of-its-kind premium pay for mechanics performing road calls, and recognizes Juneteenth as a 13th paid holiday. These improvements raise the bar for the entire industry. Our members earned this, they absolutely deserve it and they are the standard now.”
Members work at GreenTeam of San Jose and West Valley, providing garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection services to residential and commercial customers in San Jose and parts of unincorporated Santa Clara County. They also provide roll-off services for construction and commercial debris.
The bargaining committee included Principal Officer Sandoval, retired Secretary-Treasurer John Bouchard, Business Representatives Larry Daugherty, Sergio Arranaga, and David Rodriguez. Elected member representatives included Shop Steward Ralph Ascenso, Daniel Medina, Jesse Munoz, and Jordan Reis.
Sandoval also acknowledged the dedication and patience of the unit: “These negotiations took time, no doubt, but the group’s resilience and insistence on clarity around working conditions paid off. There was no room for gray areas, and every detail mattered.”
Committee member Jesse Munoz, serving for the second time, reflected, “I was proud to see our union fight so hard for us. We achieved significant gains throughout the agreement, including much-needed language improvements, premium pay for mechanics, and major wage and pension increases. Special thanks to Principal Officer Sandoval, Larry Daugherty, and Sergio Arranaga for their dedication and for always putting the members first.”
This landmark contract underscores the power of collective bargaining and the strength of unity within Teamsters Local 350. It sets a new standard for wages, benefits, and working conditions, while reaffirming the essential contributions of waste and recycling workers to their communities. With this historic agreement in place, Teamsters Local 350 continues to fight for the dignity, respect, and compensation its members deserve.
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