Teamster School Bus Drivers Win Big Pay Raises

Teamster School Bus Drivers Win Big Pay Raises

Members Overwhelmingly Approve Pacts, End Strikes

December 24, 2001

Striking school bus drivers at two districts near St. Louis have approved contracts giving them average wage increases of 70- to 80-percent over the life of the contracts.

In addition, under the new contract drivers will reach the top pay scale much sooner.

“In the past it took 11 years to get to top scale,” said Rich Piglowski, President of Teamsters Local 610 in St. Louis. “Beginning in the third year of the agreements, the top scale takes effect in the second year.”

“This is an exceptional jump in pay,” Piglowski said of the overall wage increases.

Drivers in the Francis Howell district voted 109-21 on December 19 to accept a five-year agreement with the First Student bus company. Fort Zumwalt drivers voted 148-5 to accept a similar, four-year agreement with the same company. The votes ended a nearly 2-month-old strike that has affected 26,000 students.

Francis Howell drivers had made $9 to $13.10 an hour. By the end of the contract, top pay will be $17.80.

The Fort Zumwalt offer had the same terms but without the fifth year. Top salary in Fort Zumwalt will be $16.95 an hour in the fourth year of their contract.

Drivers also are to receive a return-to-work bonus, and the difference between new and old wages for hours worked before the strike. The old contracts between drivers and the company expired in June.

“The contract also provides more job security,” Piglowski said of language related to subcontracting and other provisions.