(Washington, D.C.) – Baltimore school district bus drivers and aides who work for First Student Inc. overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 570, taking the first step toward improving child safety and gaining a voice on the job.

“Despite the company’s campaign of intimidation, we remained united with our children’s safety foremost in our minds,” said Patti Thomas, a First Student driver. “We are excited to move to the next step: negotiating a contract that will give us a strong voice on the job.”

With this vote, the 270 bus drivers and aides took a giant step toward rectifying the problems they must confront every day working for First Student. The workers have been deprived of wages, provided with inadequate health insurance and been horrified by the blatant safety violations that are ignored by the company.

“I look forward to working with the drivers and attendants to negotiate a strong contract that addresses their concerns,” said Sean Cedenio, Local 570 Secretary-Treasurer. “These workers provide a vital service every day and it’s time they are heard.”

The victory is the second in a national campaign to organize private school bus drivers across the country. The victory in Baltimore 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.

“The drivers will never again be alone in their fight for their rights in the workplace,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “They can be assured that the power of the entire union will be behind them from now on.”

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