Nearly 100 Latino Express Bus Drivers Join Teamsters

Bus drivers servicing the Chicago Public Schools showed their solidarity on April 4, by voting to join Local 777 in Brookfield, Illinois.

The 95 drivers with Latino Express successfully rallied against four months of delays and intimidation by the school bus company to win union representation. In addition to better benefits and higher wages, the workers cited a severe lack of respect on the job in their drive to organize.

“The men and women of Latino Express take very seriously their responsibility to safely transport Chicago children to and from school, and they deserve the utmost respect for their service,” said James T. Glimco, Local 777 President. “The Teamsters couldn’t be more proud to represent our newest members and continue to drive up standards in this vital industry.”

This week’s victory arrived months after Local 777 filed for an election with Latino Express in January 2011. In repeated efforts to impede a vote, management failed to attend multiple bargaining unit hearings and resorted to firing two school bus drivers who assisted with the campaign. Local 777 filed unfair labor practice charges against the company, and recently received support for the drivers from community group Jobs With Justice and Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez.

“At a time when union members are being wrongfully attacked across the country and working men and women are being robbed of their rights, the Teamsters remain committed to protecting our members at all costs,” said John T. Coli, President of Joint Council 25. “We applaud the drivers of Latino Express for laying claim to their future and taking a stand against such ongoing harassment.”

Latino Express drivers currently receive no paid holidays and are at risk of losing wages determined by the company to pay for school bus accidents. Local 777 expects to secure the workers’ first contract with new protections and improved working conditions over the next few months.

Local 777, an affiliate of Joint Council 25, remains actively engaged in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ School Bus Workers United campaign. The local represents nearly 2,000 school bus drivers, attendants and aides, and regularly assists other Illinois affiliates with organizing initiatives.

Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.