Tech shuttle drivers approve first union contract

Shuttle drivers for seven tech companies in Silicon Valley voted Saturday 75 to 0 in favor to approve a union proposal for a first contact that includes industry-leading wages and benefits, union officials said.

The drivers, members of San Leandro-based Teamsters Local 853, are employed by contactor Compass Transportation and provide commuter services for Apple, eBay, Yahoo, Zynga, Genentech, Amtrak and Evernote employees.

The proposal is the result of nearly five months of negotiations with the company and includes contract language and the entire economic package from Local 853’s agreement with Facebook through Loop Transportation, union officials said.

Facebook drivers who are members of Local 853 ratified their agreement back in February, according to union officials.

The agreement from Compass drivers includes hourly pay increases over the three-year contract, shift differential pay, a six-hour minimum for drivers who do not work split shifts and employer contributions to a defined pension plan, among other gains, union officials said.

The final offer will next go to Compass Transportation for review, according to union officials.

“The overwhelming vote is an indication of the significance of the changes made by this contract, most of which are going to be life-changing for the people that drive these buses and for their families,” International Vice President and principle officer of Teamsters Local 853 Rome Aloise said in a statement.

Compass shuttle drivers voted overwhelmingly 104 to 38 in favor of Teamsters Local 853 representation on Feb. 27, following the successful vote for Teamsters Local 853 representation by Facebook drivers with Loop Transportation in November, according to union officials.