Delaware First Student Workers Overwhelmingly Approve Winning Contract

First Student school bus drivers and attendants in Newark, Delaware, have voted by an overwhelming 90 percent to ratify a first-time agreement. The contract contains major improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions for the 142 workers. Highlights of the contract include:

• Wage increases;
• Pay for all hours worked, including attendance at meetings and clean-up on the buses;
• A grievance procedure;
• A seniority system that will be applied to biding rights for charter work and all other work;
• Holidays;
• Paid time off for jury duty; and
• The creation of a committee to review each vehicle incident prior to a discharge or dismissal. The committee consists of members of the union and the company.

“I would like to thank the International Union organizers and Fred Potter, who assisted us in the campaign. This is a great contract for our members at First Student,” said John J. Ryan Sr., President of Local 326 in New Castle, Delaware.

The drivers and attendants voted overwhelmingly, 105-7, to join Local 326 in October 2008.