Teamsters at the San Diego Zoo prove that rank-and-file organizing gets the goods.

The San Diego Zoo claims to be the world’s premier zoo—but you wouldn’t know it from how they treat working Teamsters.

Nearly 1,800 Teamsters work at the San Diego Zoo: everyone from ticket-takers, retail clerks, building and grounds, restaurant workers, to animal-keepers and animal-care specialists.

At the bargaining table in 2021, Local 481 officials gave away members’ pensions and settled for wage increases below the rate of inflation. In some classifications, the wages negotiated by Local 481 were less than state minimum wage. 

Headed into contract negotiations this time, Teamsters at the zoo knew things had to be different and they organized for change. 

Members built a rank-and-file network called Zoo Solidarity to unite members across classifications and mobilize for a strong contract. 

When zoo management and Local 481 officials negotiated another weak contract, Zoo Solidarity mobilized members to Vote No by a whopping 860 to 272 margin. 

Winning a Better Offer

When the bargaining committee returned to the table, Zoo Solidarity organized a Ready to Strike pledge and a Strike Ready rally. 

Zoo management felt the heat and returned with an improved offer. Members won nearly 10% in additional wage increases. 

The No vote also reversed a giveback on paid time off that management and Local 481 officials agreed to in the first offer. 

The new contract increases wages by more than 20% over four years.

New Contract, New Direction

“We ratified the contract, but we also know we deserve more from the zoo and from our local officials than we are getting,” said Erin Borgardt, a wildlife care specialist and Zoo Solidarity activist. “We built a contract action team, and we had good members on the bargaining team, but they were gagged by our top officer. We had to fight our officers and zoo management at the same time to overcome misinformation and fear.”

With the new contract inked, Zoo Solidarity is keeping members united and involved. They held a Zoom meeting to debrief their contract campaign and make plans for contract enforcement and union education.

Local 481 will hold an election for local union officers and Zoo Solidarity will be putting forward a slate to win new leadership and a new direction in their local.

“We will be back  at the table with the zoo in just three years,” said Brandon Rowley, a Zoo Solidarity leader. “We’re continuing our fight with rank-and-file education and contract enforcement, but we know that we need leadership that will fight for us to win a stronger contract.”

"In my department we organized by finding leaders in each area to help spread the word about our contract,” said Tim Hill, a Teamster in the Zoo’s retail department. “We shared phone numbers and used text threads and kept members informed. We're going to use that structure to stay organized and change our union.”