First Student in Kingston, NY will vote for Teamster Representation on May 16th.

since sherri has been here in kingston, the name calling has stopped. we want to thank all of our coworkers for all coming together and making 16th of may possible. we will also get the respect that we all deserve.

cheryl & Theresa

May 16,2008 will go down in history.

I wish to thank everyone who took the chance of being retaliated against by "Blanche" we know how hostile she can be.

Once a "Teamster always a Teamster".

Scott...........

Every single one of you should be proud of the effort you have put forth.  It is tough to go up against any   corporation.  I have been right where you are and I can tell you first hand the struggles you face are shared with First Student workers all across the country.

When folks read about your campaign they can't help but to remember their own.  And we all feel your desire and your passion to be treated fairly and with respect.

And when it's all said and done, First Student will still be who they are....but you will have grown.  You will have faced the challenges head on and decided your own path.  The company won't like it, but they will learn to live with it.  Sometimes they learn the hard way but nonetheless, they do learn.

This horribly bumpy road that appears to have no sense of direction will become a structured path, with pre-determined conditions and guides for continual improvement.

You will all begin to use your voices in positive tones.  Joining your co-workers and embarking on new and exciting changes as you seek that one common goal. 

You will no longer be forced into a war with your employer, as they too will have rules and the playing field will level to conduct business as business should be conducted.

May 16th is a proud day for many reasons.  It is why I am a Teamster.  It is what makes us all a strong force for one another.

As a Teamster, we are not without responsibility.  We must continue to support one another. We must hold our positions with pride and with dignity.  We must be an example for our co-workers who have not overcome the obstacles we have successfully overcome.

We must stand by our brothers and sisters and become part of the movement to secure Teamster Contracts throughout First Group Companies.  We must support the many industries that make up our Great Union.
We will do this by contributing to the negotiating process, by supporting our locals and by using our voice at Union meetings.  I hope you all will become active in your local.  Attending union meetings supports YOUR union.  It helps you stay focused and informed on issues that matter to you.  But most of all it is when your VOICE will be heard. 
The one reason we organize in the first place.

Thanks so much for letting me share this with all of you.  It has been my pleasure.

Here's to high numbers and big dreams!

Sherri Henry

Sherri, I have the photo of the CRYING TOWEL. I will have it with me tomorrow.

Thanks Scott..........

hi its me cheryl & theresa

we are on a count down now to the voting box. we have exactly nine more days not counting the weekend till we vote the teamsters in :)

start preparing the wish list for our future employment as a teamster with first student.

the wheels on the bus are going vroom vroom now!!!!!!

i am so happy to see so many happy faces as we get closer to the election. i will be back to post again as we get closer to the election.

Now is the time to start thinking about the future, our contracts, Shop Stewards etc. We want to move fast on this because you know the company will milk it probably.

Scott..........

Hi everyone, just to let you know, we will be able to have more freedom at our job when this is threw and hopefully we can get everyone to understand why we are doing this. For one mine would be health insurance that I can afford for my children and myself, and at least a rate increase to benefit us as the cost of living goes up.

See you later

Sue

WOW! -- What a difference I can see just since last nights OC Meeting.

WE ARE SO MOTIVATED!!!

You all did a great job today.  Your enthusiasm is spreading all over the yard.More people stopped at the corner today than I have seen since arriving in New York.

That tells me you all went into work today, acting like a union and doing a fantastic job as an organizing committee.

Keep up the good work

Sherri

Everybody is doing a great job! It is hard for us in the garage for us to move around and talk. I see alot more happy faces than I used to. There is a lot of work ahead of us we are this far we cant look back! This week the tension will be "HIGH" everybody must not let their guard down. We must confide in each other, I am sure we are all nervous about friday, it will go great!
Thursday we must be careful at this safety meeting do not loose control of emotions if the company threatens us "Take it with a grain of salt".
See you next week.

Hey everyone, the count down is on. We must still keep the spirits up, and not let anyone discourage us from being focused on that big day the 16th of may.

I am glad to see all of us working together for a change that will benefit all of us.

We need to keep our tempers in check and remember that there is a meeting this week on Tuesday, the last one before the box comes in for the elections.

Keep the faith and believe this is going to happen.

See everyone this coming week.

Wear your shirts and show your support.

cheryl

5 days and counting.............

We are kicking this week off in a big way!

Yes -- I will be at the yard at 6am -- 5:45 if you are all lucky....

with banners flying --
I will also have meeting notices for Tuesday

We all committed to being visible this week at the last OC meeting. We should all be accountable.
As I said to you -- I know you are busy with jobs, family, etc. But -- this election will only come around one time and that is Friday. We need to be visible to encourage others to also be.

Remember, " You can not ask others to do what you are not willing to do yourselves".

So with that being said, we are all showing our colors, wear your shirts and/or your buttons everyday. I have plenty of both in the back of my truck, so stop if you need them.

WE are smiling - happy people and full of life.
Just loving every single minute of every single day because on Friday we all will have our voices heard as we proceed to the poll and Vote YES for Positive Change --

Congratulations to all for the TEAM EFFORT that brought us to this turning point -- Hats off to each of you!

In Total Solidarity,

Sherri

Good Luck to all of you on the 16th!

I can't relay to you here, all of the reasons it's great to be a teamster. It would take forever.

Just know that after you vote yes, you will have a voice. You will have choices. Together you will stand strong for the best working conditions for all!

Good Luck! I'll be watching to see if another terminal makes a smart choice.

Donna

Keep fighting for your rights and don't let the non believers get you down. Tell F/S you deserve better.

John Bosanac

To ALL the future Teamster brothers and sisters in Kingston, N.Y.
Good luck to you ALL!!! I am sure you will be victorious in your upcomming election this Friday! You have the support and are in the thoughts and prayers of ALL of us across the country!!!! After the vote count is in let me be the first to say this to you now...WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!!!
Remember to ALWAYS:
Remain STRONG
Remain COMMITTED
Remain UNITED!!!!

In Solidarity,
Russ Harris
Carpentersville,IL.

HEY EVERYONE I FINALLY GOT ON! YES!
HOW EXCITING IS THIS? I CAN HARDLY CONTROL MYSELF.
I KNOW IN MY HEART AND GUT THAT VOTING THE TEAMSTERS IN IS THE BEST THING WE COULD EVER DO FOR OUR SELVES AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT ITS ABOUT THE COMPANY NOT THE MANAGER.EVEN THOUGH SHE IS VERY UNFAIR BUT,WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT SHE IS JUST DOING HER JOB.
AND WE ARE DOING OURS. WE NEED BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS BETTER HEALTH INC. ACTUALLY I SHOULD SAY WE NEED AFFORDABLE INC.
ANY WAY GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.I HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR VICTORY IN JUST 2 MORE DAYS.
LOVE TO ALL,
BONNIE

Cheryl,

I know how hard it can be, I've gone through the retaliation, here at the Hodgkins, Illinois location from the get go. Yet, I didn't give up until recently, but that is a long story. You have gotten to the point of coming to a vote, remind the anti's of the at will clause in the employment application, unless your state is a right to work state, Sherri Henry should know. In Illinois we are an at will state, with-in the last two months 6 people were removed or fired by First Group for past occurences that they didnot disclose on there re-application after First bought out Laidlaw. So tell them about that and ask them what is in your closet that First Group don't know about?

John Bosanac

Kingston, Brothers & Sisters!

Tomorrow is our day! United we stand divided we fall!

Do not let anything INTIMIDATE US! Our greatest obsticale has been shown our strength in numbers & she does not know what to expect! The "Ball is in our court"
"We will not STUMBLE" "WE WILL BE TEAMSTERS BY 6PM tomorrow!

"ONCE A TEAMSTER ALWAYS A TEAMSTER"!!!!

See you tomorrow!!!!!

Clarification --

"At Will" = employees not working under a collective bargaining agreement.

Whether or not you live in a right to work state has no bearing to the "at will" employee status. First Student Workers not represented by a union are "at will", regardless of whether it was confirmed on your application.
Once you become Teamsters you change your employee status from "at will" to a "contract" employee.

All First Student employees in all states are "at will" unless they are working under a collective bargaining agreement.

Anyone having questions about this, please ask.

Here this History of at will employee will help back you up Sherri. Hope it connects.

http://www.rbs2.com/atwill.htm copy this and paste into search

Hope this helps. Have a great day and weekend!