May 16, 2006

(Iowa City, Iowa) -- Iowa City school district bus drivers who work for First Student Inc. overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 238, taking the first step toward improving child safety and gaining a voice on the job.

The 111 drivers chose to unionize sending a clear message to First Student that they were tired of not having a voice in the workplace or input on safety issues.

"Now we have a voice in the workplace and we will be heard," said Carole Austin a four-year driver for First Student. "They can't turn a deaf ear to us anymore."

The victory is the first in a national campaign to organize private school bus drivers across the country. The victory in Iowa City is part of Driving Up Standards, a national campaign sponsored by the Teamsters, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Transport and General Workers (T&G) union to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus industry.

"I am proud of the workers at First Student in Iowa City for standing up for what they believe in," said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. "This is just the first in what we anticipate will be a number of organizing victories at this company. These workers are tired of being disrespected and ignored."

First Student has held the contract for the Iowa City school district since 2000 with the 111 drivers transporting more than 6,000 students each day in buses that are sometimes operated in deplorable condition.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.