Making a Difference

Teamster School Bus Drivers Become Member Organizers

In April 2007, Lori Polesel and Becky Finch celebrated a big victory. The drivers, along with their coworkers at the First Student yard in Wallkill, New York, had voted to join Teamsters Local 445.

Three years later, they have a Teamster contract, as well as some valuable experiences. While still working full time as bus drivers, Polesel and Finch have helped other school bus workers form their union to improve their working conditions.

“The feeling you get helping someone else out is awesome. Being member organizers and helping the workers with their election felt like winning our election all over again,” Finch said.

Workers Talking to Workers
Finch and Polesel have traveled the nation and the world to speak up for school bus worker rights. The two have traveled to Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Connecticut and Texas, as well as to the FirstGroup shareholders’ meeting in the United Kingdom, and met with members of Parliament.

“No matter where you go, workers are facing the same issues. But when we pull together, everyone is equal, so we all have a chance at a decent job with benefits,” said Polesel, a six-year driver.

After going through training and working on house calls in New Jersey, Polesel and Finch recently had a chance to put their skills to the test. Together, they took the lead on an organizing campaign at First Student in nearby Millbrook, New York.

They had a week to talk to the workers before the vote. Polesel and Finch believe it’s critical that workers talk to workers like themselves in organizing campaigns. It’s a movement of school bus workers coming together to raise standards that has made organizing in this industry so successful.

“They asked a lot of us questions about how the union helps and they wanted to know what was in our contract,” Finch said. “They reached a point in the campaign, like all of us, where you get anxious and need the hope and reminder that you can do it. I think we were able to help with that.”

“When you know the company and how it operates, and you know the industry, you have a better knowledge of what the worker needs. We related to them and they related to us because we’ve been in their shoes,” Polesel said. “We are proof that things can change by working together.”

Voice of Experience
Polesel and Finch worked many hours together and spent some days standing out in the rain at the bus yard. Workers would come to them in the mornings and seek guidance because they knew the two drivers had the answers. They had experience on their side.

“I didn’t just go into a union job and collect union wages and benefits. I had to fight for it. You can’t sit back and wait for someone else to do something, thinking things will get better,” Polesel said. “I would encourage everyone to become a member organizer because you’re making a difference in people’s lives. I know it’s made a difference in my life.”

The workers in Millbrook voted by nearly a 5 to 1 margin to join Polesel, Finch and their co-workers as members of Local 445.

“They’re talented and dedicated and our gratitude goes out to them,” said Adrian Huff, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 445. “It’s extremely helpful that Lori and Becky would take their time and invest in doing this work. It’s needed not just in our local, but at every local.”

To find out how to sign up to become a member organizer go to www.teamster.org.