November 20, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) -  First Student school bus drivers in New Hampshire and drivers and mechanics in Washington State voted this month to join the Teamsters.

In Derry, N.H., driving rain and winds in excess of 50 miles per hour did not keep workers from coming out to vote, securing a victory margin of nearly five to one. Workers voted 45-10 to join Local 633.

“These men and women showed the true spirit of unity and solidarity that is necessary to turn out such a great vote,” said Local 633 Principal Officer David W. Laughton. “We welcome the latest addition to Local 633 and look forward to negotiating their first contract.”

Organizer Roger Travers said that with the merger of Laidlaw and First Student, the New Hampshire employees realized that without a strong contract, nothing was guaranteed.

The 65 employees serve multiple school districts in New Hampshire.

In Tacoma, Washington, First Student school bus drivers and mechanics voted 71-36 to join Local 313.  Organizer Anthony Gilliard said this victory is part of a major campaign in the Pacific Northwest.

“This victory gives workers a voice now in terms of respect, seniority, pay scale, back pay and health benefits,” Gilliard said.

Since 2006, more than 3,600 private school bus workers have joined the Teamsters.

The victories are part of an effort to organize private school bus drivers across the country.

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