While he didn’t know it at the time, Robert Sandoval was likely destined at an early age to lead Teamsters Local 350 – Sanitary Truck Drivers and Helpers.
His grandfather, Robert Morales, was the executive officer of the union from 1975 until 2015, and his father was a second generation “garbageman”. Morales was a legend within the Teamsters Union and one of its first Latino leaders.
While he didn’t know it at the time, Robert Sandoval was likely destined at an early age to lead Teamsters Local 350 – Sanitary Truck Drivers and Helpers.
His grandfather, Robert Morales, was the executive officer of the union from 1975 until 2015, and his father was a second generation “garbageman”. Morales was a legend within the Teamsters Union and one of its first Latino leaders. As a role model, his influence on his grandson was immense.
While in high school, Robert spent his summers working at the union office doing odd jobs and “messing up the computers that he would ultimately be responsible for,” he recalls. When he moved on to college, he had not yet committed to a Teamster career, instead turning to an IBEW apprenticeship program and then applying for a firefighter training program.
The pull toward Local 350 was strong, however, and Robert ultimately accepted a full-time position with the union, establishing its social media presence, building out its website, and “bringing the organization into the modern era,” he says.
He went on to serve as political director, business agent, and then president. On September 17 of this year, he was sworn in as Local 350’s Secretary-Treasurer, the union’s principal officer responsible for more than 2,500 members in the Bay Area.
“It’s obviously not just a job – it’s a legacy thing for me,” says Robert.
In addition to his local union duties, Robert is a Human Rights Commissioner in San Francisco, a board member of the Teamsters California Hispanic Caucus, and he serves on the boards of the South Bay and San Mateo Labor Councils.
“Whether it’s in the political arena or at the bargaining table, Teamsters have an obligation to participate in our Labor Councils as we bring a unique perspective because of the vast variety of industries that we represent. The mutual solidarity is critical – Bay Area Teamsters will always show up and show out whenever another union needs our help. We don’t back down from fights – that’s who we are, and people always know where we stand,” Robert explains.
When he’s not at work for his members, Robert stays “very active”, he says, to relieve stress and “put things in perspective”. He likes to run, play basketball, hike, and when time permits, travel the world with his wife, Monica.