San Francisco Teamsters Win $5 Million in Court Decision Against AAA [View all]

https://teamster.org/2026/04/san-francisco-teamsters-win-5-million-in-court-decision-against-aaa/

2026.04.14

Illegally Fired AAA Members Secure Back Pay After Multi-Year Fight

Press Contact: Maura Drumm Phone: (215) 510-3735 Email: MDrumm@teamster.org

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Five members of Teamsters Local 665 have won a court decision determining their firing from AAA in 2021 was unlawful and the company owes them up to an estimated $1 million in compensation and back pay. The five Teamsters — who were outspoken in their support of the union — were wrongfully terminated in retaliation for exercising their rights.

“This was more than just a legal victory. It was validation, justice, and a reminder that standing up for what is right matters,” said Priscilla Gaines-Holladay, a P&C agent at AAA in Stockton. “This decision sends a clear message that workers cannot be silenced or retaliated against for standing together. I am grateful to Local 665 for their unwavering support.”

“It’s been a long five years of outrageous conduct by AAA and this decision was a huge boost to the agents’ spirits,” said Tom Woods, Local 665 business agent. “Making the call to the unlawfully terminated workers to tell them they will be reinstated with full back pay was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done professionally. We’re very hopeful that the company will return to the bargaining table and agree to a fair contract that respects the agents’ rights.”

The court determined that AAA must offer the workers job reinstatement and make each of them whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits. AAA must also compensate each worker for their search for work, interim employment expenses, and for the adverse tax consequences, if any, of receiving one or more lump-sum backpay awards.

FULL story at link above.