The following are highlights from collective bargaining agreements that were reached through Teamster bargaining at First Student yards. Each collective bargaining agreement is different, and because First Student workers often have very have different priorities at different yards, each contract is unique. We offer this information to show what workers in some First Student yards have been able to accomplish through the collective bargaining process. However, in each and every yard, workers need to come together, decide what kind of change is important, and then work together to achieve good results. There is no promise or guarantee—only an opportunity to make positive change. When we stand together, we can make significant changes to our wages, benefits and working conditions—and get these changes in a contract that we can use to hold management accountable.
First Student – Mattapoisett, MA
LU 59 reached a 5 year contract with the Mattaposett, MA First Student yard covering regular and part-time bus drivers, effective August 1, 2007. The contract includes the following: up to 3 paid snow days; a 16.6% wage increase over the life of the contract; 1 paid holiday the first year- maxing out at 4 days fourth year; one hour non-revenue rate ($10.00) of pay for mandatory meetings; 2 hours pay in the event of a cancelled run; $75 monthly bonus for accident free driving and perfect attendance; employer contribution to health insurance based on seniority; $20,000 life insurance; and time and a half for work preformed on 11 designated holidays.
First Student - Vernon, CT
LU 671 reached a 5 year agreement with the Vernon, CT First Student yard covering all full-time and regular part-time drivers, effective September 25, 2007. The contract includes the following: an immediate 3.5% raise for drivers followed by a 14.6% wage increase over the life of the contract; 8.5% increase in non-revenue rates followed by a 5% increase over the life of the contract; 2 paid holidays the first year topping out at 5 paid holidays the fifth year; union leave; 3 days bereavement leave; $5,000 of employer paid life insurance; and AD&D coverage for employees who started after 2003.
First Student - San Diego, CA
LU 542 reached a 3 year contract with the San Diego, CA First Student yard covering all full-time and regular part-time school bus drivers, technicians/mechanics and fuelers, effective September 1, 2007. The contract includes a provision for union leave and the right to refuse to work under unsafe conditions. Drivers receive the following: 5 paid holidays based on their average daily pay; employer matched 401k option (up to $225/yr); company contributions to a group medical plan for employees working over 20 hours; a 5% raise over the life of the contract; and a minimum of 4 hours compensation for call back duty. Maintenance workers receive the following: 8 paid holidays; 2 floating holidays; 3% increase for each year of the contract; 3 days of funeral leave; partial company contribution to a health care plan; 40 hours of paid sick time after 1 year; a sick day accrual rate of 8 hours every 2 months for employees with less than 1 year; and paid vacation allocated in the following manner: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years, and 4 weeks after 10 years. Non-driver/non-Maintenance employees receive a 3% raise over the life of the contract.
First Student – Bangor, ME
LU 340 in Maine just reached an agreement at the Bangor First Student yard.
The 4 year contract covers drivers and monitors. Workers get an immediate 3% raise, with another 10% over the next three years (13% over 4 years). In addition, they get 4 paid holidays, annual cost of living adjustment, monthly $50 attendance bonus, 3 days paid funeral leave, 2 days paid jury duty leave, 3 paid personal days, 5 paid holidays, company matched 401k option (up to $225/yr), 50% of health care paid by company, time off for union business. LU 340 also negotiated a comprehensive drug and alcohol policy.
Laidlaw Transit Inc. - Worchester, MA
LU 170 negotiated a 5 year agreement with the Laidlaw Transit, Inc. yard in Worchester, MA covering bus drivers effective September 25, 2007. The contract includes the following: 17.3% wage increase for drivers and a 9.3% increase for non-revenue wages over the life of the contract for drivers; $200 annual bonus for no preventable accidents or injuries and 4 or less absences, if approved 24 hours in advance; $30 monthly bonus for perfect attendance and no preventable accidents; 1 paid holiday; up to 3 paid snow days; one paid cancellation day; 3 day bereavement leave; $100 parking stipend for employees who park their buses on their own property; union time off;1 day jury duty pay; a day’s pay for on the job injury, provided employee is instructed to leave work by employer or a physician.
