Rohnert Park Councilwoman Approved Rate Increases with Recology Despite Representation by Husband's Union
Councilwoman Jackie Elward's husband, a UPS Driver, is represented by Teamsters Local 665, as are the 'Teamsters' employed at Recology
Rohnert Park Councilmember Jackie Elward represents Council District 4 with a term expiring in December 2028.
According to Councilmember Elward’s 2025 Form 700 submitted to the Fair Political Practices Commission, her spouse, Mr. John Ryan Elward, is a package car driver for United Parcel Service (UPS).
Mr. Elward appears to advocate for Teamsters Local 665 being that UPS is represented by the union.
On November 14, 2022, The North Bay Business Journal published the following article:
Recology Sonoma Marin and Teamsters Union Local 665, the union representing about 360 of the trash-collection company’s workers, reached an agreement Sunday on a new five-year contract, according to both parties.
“The contract passed by more than two to one,” union president Mike Yates said Monday. Sunday’s ratification vote was the third time a proposal had been put before members in back-and-forth open negotiations that lasted beyond the Sept. 30 contract expiration date, which was extended to Oct. 31 — then another two weeks.
The earlier votes were held Oct. 23 and Nov. 6. Yates said the new contract “locks in very good wage increases” but declined to provide specific details, as did Recology Sonoma Marin. Recology Sonoma Marin trash-pickup worker Chris Gosiak on Monday said his hourly wage will jump to $33.50 from $29, then max-out at $38.40 at the end of the five years.
Yates confirmed those figures, which he said are effective immediately and retroactive to Oct. 1. Gosiak previously said and reiterated again Monday that he and his colleagues had hoped to get to $40 an hour, or at least by the end of the five years. He also stated Monday that medical benefits will be free to the workers.
“It’s a raise and our benefits are taken care of, so it could have been a lot worse,” said Gosiak, who earlier stated he and his colleagues were prepared to go on strike Nov. 1, if necessary. “Nobody’s happy, but we went in the right direction.”
In an email statement Monday, Recology Sonoma Marin said it is “pleased that after putting forward a proposal that we believe is fair to both our employee-owners and the ratepayers of Sonoma and Marin counties, (that) the contract was ratified.”
Teamsters Local 665 represents roughly 360 of Petaluma-based Recology Sonoma Marin’s employee-owners in collections, post collections, maintenance and customer service.
Recology Sonoma Marin serves Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Cotati, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, unincorporated Sonoma County, Novato, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, West Marin and Point Arena.
On June 30, 2023, Rohnert Park City Manager Marcela Piedra issued the following statement to the Community Voice:
Per the Rohnert Park Council Meeting Minutes dated June 13, 2023, Councilmember Jackie Elward seconded the motion to approve the following agenda item:
Councilmember Elward also seconded the motion to approve the following:
With Councilmember Elward’s second, Council voted in favor to extend the Non-Exclusive Temporary Construction and Demolition Debris Collection Service Agreement dated November 14, 2017 with Recology Sonoma Marin for a Period of three years to Expire on December 31, 2027.
On December 10, 2024, Recology launched the pilot of a fully electric residential garbage truck in Santa Rosa. This exciting initiative is part of their ongoing commitment to exploring sustainable solutions and transitioning to a zero-emissions future.
Councilmember Jackie Elward ran for California State Senate District 3 during the March 5th, 2024 Primary Election. She was provided with a Transportation Questionnaire for Bay Area Candidates from the Contra Costa Herald as follows:
Q: Transportation is the largest single source of carbon emissions in California, and in the Bay Area, and the largest share of transportation emissions come from single occupancy vehicles. What are your top priorities to achieve substantial reduction in transportation-related GHG emissions?
A: I support robust investments in public transit, safe sidewalks for pedestrians, and biking infrastructure. New housing should be prioritized near transit and near downtown and commercial corridors. These goals have the effect of reducing vehicle miles traveled and creating more livable communities for all of us to share. I also support accelerating our transition to electric vehicles and investing in the needed EV infrastructure, including at apartment buildings.
Although Councilmember Elward was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she made no mention that her people have been enslaved to produce necessary EV parts.
The Council on Foreign Relations expresses grave concerns surrounding cobalt mining practices. This rare element is not only used to power electric vehicles, but computers and cell phones as well. Per the Council, “More than 70 percent of the world’s cobalt is produced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and 15 to 30 percent of the Congolese cobalt is produced by artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). For years, human rights groups have documented severe human rights issues in mining operations. These human rights risks are particularly high in artisanal mines in the DRC, a country weakened by violent ethnic conflict, Ebola, and high levels of corruption. Child labor, fatal accidents, and violent clashes between artisanal miners and security personnel of large mining firms are recurrent.”
I shared my feedback regarding Councilmember Elward’s lack of genuine concern for the BIPOC community and exchanged the following words with her spouse on Instagram. Shortly after, he removed his comments and disabled my ability to communicate with him.
It was odd to me that Mr. Elward claimed that he and his spouse have been advocates against Congolese slave labor for ‘almost 20 years’. I have never heard them speak to this travesty at any local agency meeting.
Does Councilwoman Elward serve the people or the Teamsters overlords?
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5