New York First Student Workers Join Teamsters Union

(Washington, DC) – First Student drivers and monitors in Fredonia, New York, have voted to join Teamsters Local 264 in Cheektowaga. The workers united over a shared need for respect on the job, fair wages and affordable health care. With this victory, the 80 workers are now part of the more than 14,150 school bus and transit workers who have joined the Teamsters Union since a nationwide movement to drive up standards in the industry began in 2006.

 “We have members at a neighboring school district with a good contract and these workers wanted the same kind of representation,” said Scott Chismar, an organizer with Local 264. “They like the job; they like dealing with the kids, but they’re looking for respect.”

According to Chismar, the First Student workers contacted Local 264 after one of the workers picked up her husband’s Teamster Magazine, a news publication sent to Teamster members, which featured an article about the gains school bus workers have made across North America by joining the Teamsters.

“We’re very happy to have these new members here in Fredonia,” said Ronald Lucas, President of Joint Council 46 and Local 264.

This victory is the latest in an effort to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. 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 14,150 workers have become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.
-30-