April 21, 2008  

(Washington, D.C.) – First Student school bus drivers, monitors and mechanics in three states have voted to join the Teamsters Union, adding more than 700 workers to a growing list of locations nationwide where school bus and transit workers are becoming Teamsters. The workers came together in order to achieve fair pay, better and more affordable benefits, respect at work and other improvements to their working conditions.

In Omaha, Nebraska, First Student drivers, associates and mechanics at three First Student bus yards voted 324-59 to join Teamsters Local 554.

“The workers are very excited,” said James W. Sheard Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 554. “They have been really enthusiastic, holding meetings every week throughout the campaign and working together to make this happen. Everything worked out well and we’re proud to welcome them to the Teamsters.”

Prior to the vote, the workers held a rally at the Omaha East yard, where State Senator Tom White, D-Omaha, encouraged the workers to stand up for their rights. Also lending support were State Senator Gwen Howard, D-Omaha, and several other prominent community and labor leaders. More than 150 workers rallied in support of joining the Teamsters.

In Cologne, New Jersey, First Student school bus workers voted 107-75 in favor of joining Local 331 in Pleasantville. The school bus drivers, mechanics, shop clerks, maintenance employees and aides came together seeking fair wages, affordable health care and respect on the job.

"We did a happy dance when we found out we were Teamsters,” said Sharon Stewart, a driver. “We have pay disparities, favoritism, and the health insurance is too expensive. These are the concerns we had and we did not falter. It was a wonderful day that we became Teamsters.”

Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 40 drivers and monitors voted 22-16 to join Local 633 in Manchester. This is the second First Student location to join Local 633 this year, after 165 workers in Nashua voted to join the local in January.

The victories in Nebraska, New Hampshire and New Jersey are part of an effort to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. Drive Up Standards is a national campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 6,600 workers have become Teamsters.

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