First Student Workers in Vermont, Pennsylvania Vote to Join Teamsters

(Washington, D.C.) – First Student workers in Vermont and Pennsylvania overwhelmingly voted to join the Teamsters Union in two elections this week.

Pleasant Valley, Pennsylvania bus drivers and mechanics voted by a nearly 17-1 ratio to join Teamsters Local 773, gaining the 144-person unit a true voice in the workplace. The workers spoke with a number of unions before selecting the Teamsters to organize their group.

“We approached the Teamsters after calling several unions and not finding the right fit,” said Colleen Bremer a nine-year driver at the Pleasant Valley yard. “We asked them why we should go with them. Once we heard what Steve Banus, and Joe Fabritze from Local 773 had to say, everyone agreed that they were the strongest union for us.”

The workers were originally employed directly by the school district, and lost their state pensions when the district decided to go with a private company. The drivers and mechanics, who became at-will employees when First Student took over, were also concerned that they did not have the same job security they enjoyed as district workers.

“This was by far the best group I have ever worked with in my 10 years as a union officer and business agent,” said Joe Wieder, a Local 773 Business Agent. “They knew what they wanted from the start and they were committed to getting it done. With this overwhelming vote they sent a clear message to the company that they meant business.”

In Brattleboro, Vermont First Student drivers voted 25-4 to join Teamsters Local 597. The 30-person unit sought to improve their medical benefits and wanted a stronger voice in the workplace.

“We have a voice now,” said Noni Fournier a Brattleboro bus driver. “We hope for respect, to be treated fairly.”

The workers reached out to the union just 28 days prior to the election. Extremely motivated, they quickly signed a majority of authorization cards just one day after meeting with union officials. The Teamsters petitioned for an election on their behalf the same day. Negotiations for a first contract have already begun for the unit.

“The level of improvement that our current First Student members have seen with their contracts will be repeated in Brattleboro,” said Dave Laughton, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10. “Joint Council 10 continues to set the standard for organizing throughout New England. These brave men and women worked hard to become Teamsters and we intend on helping them achieve dignity, respect, proper working conditions, and a livable wage."

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 13,441 workers have become Teamsters in more than 100 elections to date.

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