First Student School Bus Workers in Arkansas, New Jersey Join Teamsters

First Student School Bus Workers in Arkansas, New Jersey Join Teamsters

December 17, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) – First Student school bus drivers and other workers in Arkansas and New Jersey voted this month to join the Teamsters, adding two more victories in the effort to organize private school bus drivers nationwide.

In Little Rock, Ark., First Student drivers, mechanics and fuelers voted 243-3 to join Local 878. President Tim Nichols called this organizing victory the largest his local has had since 2000.

"This is not just a major victory for First Student employees, but for all central Arkansas workers," Nichols said. "Arkansas has traditionally been unfriendly to labor, and this victory means a lot to us."

In Willingboro, N.J., First Student drivers and bus aides voted 59-17 to join Local 676. With this victory, the Teamsters now represent more than 30 percent of First Student employees in New Jersey, said Local 676 President Howard Wells.

"These workers wanted a voice, and now they have one," Wells said. "They were treated with no respect and their working conditions were unbelievable, close to a third world country."

Since 2006, more than 4,880 private school bus workers have joined the Teamsters.

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