April 20, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) - First Student school bus drivers, monitors and mechanics in Wallkill, New York voted to join Teamsters Local 445, becoming the third location to gain representation with the Newburgh-based local since December.

First Student school bus workers at the Valley Central bus yard, just down the road from the Wallkill yard, joined the Teamsters in December, and in January, workers at First Student’s Pine Bush location, just minutes from Wallkill, also gained Teamster representation. Through the support of their newly organized First Student coworkers, the 112 school bus workers in Wallkill stood united to achieve this significant victory.

“This is so great. We were all so emotional when we all heard the news,” said driver Becky Finch. “It was a sweet victory and a long time coming. We want to thank the other First Student drivers, including the Valley Central drivers who came over and celebrated with us.”

With Teamster representation, the school bus workers in Wallkill are hoping to address multiple concerns, including low wages, unaffordable and inadequate health care coverage and a lack of respect and favoritism by their employer.

“We are thrilled and honored that these workers have decided to join their coworkers in the area by becoming Teamsters,” said Douglas McCauley, President of Local 445. “This is a great group of hardworking individuals and we are going to do whatever it takes to get them what they deserve.”

Since 2006, more than 2,200 private school bus workers have joined the Teamsters. Including the Wallkill location, Local 445 now represents almost 400 First Student school bus workers.

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.

“I am proud of this group for standing up and working together,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “They’re sending a message to this company that they’re determined to create a better future for themselves and their families. We will be there for them every step of the way.”

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