January 24, 2007

(Washington, DC) – First Student school bus drivers, monitors and mechanics in Danville, Illinois voted to join Teamsters Local 26, gaining a powerful ally in their fight for respect in the workplace. 

With the victory, the 80 workers at the Danville First Student facility took their first step toward securing respect in the workplace and negotiating to receive rights that most workers enjoy—like paid sick days and holidays and affordable health care. Safety was also a major concern for the workers who are entrusted with the care of hundreds of children every day.

“First Student says that safety comes first for them, but that’s lip service,” said driver Marilyn Street. “There are so many safety issues that we need to address and I know as Teamsters we will have the opportunity to make headway on these issues.”

The victory is part of an effort to organize private school bus drivers across the country. Driving Up Standards is a national campaign 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.

“Our success during these campaigns should serve as a wake-up call for the private school bus industry,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “At every location we have organized we have encountered the same issues, the same violations of worker rights. This system is broken and we will not rest until it is fixed.”

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