I believe an average of $15 would on the high side for our location and nationally. So if you figure on 4.5hrs x $15 x 180days x 61,000drivers = $741,150,000. A lot of locations are so small that they have hardly any staff beyond drivers. With the other payroll and expenses it may very well come to a billion. But with a net profit in the area of 1.5 billion is that really so bad? Last year killed the profits from the previous year but everybody is in the same boat. At least they have the means to compensate for that where as.... we do not.

Ok, And who wrote this ?? Sounds like someone on the financial end of the company. HMMMM

We make $21.59 here and I can tell you FS charges the district $68,000 per bus multiply that by how many busses you have and it is in the MILLIONS.

PS.  Just want you to know also that once we had a meeting with the superintendant about an issue.  At that meeting we (I) was pointing out the large job responsibility we have. 

The superintendant said "It's not my fault that Laidlaw doesn't pay you more."

I never heard that you were nasty or threw the union rep off your property. I am wondering what kind of information you got and who you got it from. I've been to every union meeting and I never saw you there. The only information we handed out at safety meetings was when and where a union meeting was to be held. I'm sorry if you felt harassed but sometimes it seems that anyone not in favor of the union doesn't even want to discuss it. We are willing to hear every concern and only want people to make up their minds whether it be pro or anti after they've been given the correct information. This is still America and everyone has the right to choose.

Just because we work part time doesn't mean we aren't entitled to some benefits. I like my job too. I've enjoyed watching how the kids change from year to year. I'm sure that some of the first students I brought to school in Kindergarten are now sending their children to school. This is not about the management. I think this is the point some people are missing. This is about a company that can well afford to treat their employees better. They are spending millions on Zonar. Paper books aren't good enough I guess. Is Zonar going to make people do better pre trips? I think not. I really don't feel "lucky" to have my job. I think they are lucky to have me. Over 20 years of collision free driving and never having to cover my run is pretty good for them.On time every day.....unless the bus breaks down. I'm proud of my record....I've worked hard to get it. I think my parents are happy to have me too. They see the same face every day. I know all their children by name. I know their habits. I know if something is not right at a stop....missing parent, sibling etc. I don't feel like I'm just a bus driver. I don't see what's wrong with wanting to make this a better job in the future. I happen to be one of those with seniority that never calls in sick. I see nothing wrong with wanting more for all the responsibility we have. We are constantly learning in this job. It's alot different now then when I started. If we are doing more shouldn't we be paid more. As far as being compared to people who pick up trash...you missed the point. We have alot more at stake then they do. If they have a collision there might be a mess to clean up but if we have a collision many children could get hurt or killed. Maybe you should come to the meeting on Saturday. One other thing....you won't make less money per hour. Please get all the right information.

Well woman I am glad to hear that your happy with what you have now so why not put it in writing? A legal binding contract that makes sure that you get to keep all that you have now. Because without a contract it can be snatched away tomorrow.

There is nothing that says that FS has to keep giving you that bonus again here today gone tommrow and there is nothing you can do about it without a contract.

Just because you work part time doesn't mean that you shouldn't have health insurance, why wouldn't you want that for yourself? If you got a chance at AFFORDABLE health care wouldn't that make you feel even more appreciated?

Make no mistake FS is lucky to have you and other driver's that really love what they do, your job is not easy and not everyone can do it. You know that you have to go through alot of training to become a bus driver and it takes a special person to stick with it.

Seniority is a very important part of a contract because some day your going to be the one that needs that protection. Let's just suppose that all of a sudden a new driver comes in and they are making more hours then you and making more money, which has happened all too much. How would you feel? Appreciated? I don't think so, Valued? no again. The point is that you should have been asked first if you wanted the extra work and why would you be happy about someone coming in after you and making more money?

Next I would like to address that the "union" does not control anything! You and your coworkers are the Union and all decision are made by majority vote. The contract is something that is voted on by you and your co workers, why would you vote to make less money? You wouldn't, if all these could have been settled by you going in to managment, then why haven't they been, I'll tell you and I already said it once, your an at will employee and FS can give and take away anything they see fit because you have nothing in writing.

So I encourage all of you to talk to a teamster organizer and get your questons answered and make an informed decision that is going to help you and your family

I have to say that everyone should get the facts just like you say.  Go talk to people and get the correct information.   

Some people probably have gone to management and discussed their issues only to be told this is the way it is Sorry.  No matter how long we complained about issues at our terminal nothing ever got done that was good for the people.  It was only good for the management.

Great pay is a plus.  Great bonuses are a plus.  Did you ever ask anyone else if they feel this way about their pay or bonus?  Maybe everyone is not getting treated fairly.  Try this: walk up to someone that you are not usually friendly with.  Ask straight up front how much they make an hour.  See if you are comparable to each other.  See if you even get an answer.  Some people tend to hide what they earn per hour.  I have had conversations with people and find out that because they had experience or made their demands about their pay they got what they wanted. 

Benefits:  You can have a part time job and get benefits.  First Student offers insurance.  They kept the insurance the same for the drivers and made management take a different insurance.  The price is still high.  Teamsters offered a good plan with a quarter of the price for a driver.  In these times of economic uncertainty,  having  affordable insurance is a big plus.

People also can get enough work at this job to be able to make a decent paycheck.  Working or not working mid day is a choice if there is work available.  Most people take this job so they bring their kids with them or they are retired.  Some people once their children are grown up stay because they love the job.  Earning more that four hours pay per day is not out of reach for some people if they want.

Seniority does count for something.  Some people have worked for years doing this job.  I know from experience that people have "told sob stories" about how they need the extra work, and have received preferencial treatment over others.   Everyone has bills.  Everyone needs a paycheck.  Hanging around work, being buddies with the boss should not take preference over other people who also work at a terminal.  What's fair is fair for all.  Everyone should be treated with respect and fairness when it comes to extra work being available.

I worked every single day, sick if necessary, with sick children on board years ago and was told I couldn't get my end of the year bonus because I took off a couple of days for my Dad's funeral.   I was told my hands are tied.  Nice.  How's that for respect for someone who gave it their all.

No one I repeat no one gets a pay cut if there is a contract negotiated.  No one in their right mind agrees to a pay cut.

Unions work for the worker.  Just like union busters work and get paid by big business.  A union is a business run for the working people.  They defend all, not only during working hours but also through political bills that could change the working conditions of everyone.   Maybe people should get more involved with how the federal and state changes laws constantly for your license requirement.  Once you get involved with issues you can see that getting behind the wheel and driving is not the only piece of your position.  We carry very valuable cargo.  Our jobs should be one of the most respected positions ever. 

Donna Salem Terminal 

I did not say that I was never informed.. What I said was that at the safety meeting the person who was handing out the flyers did not approach me with one.  The people that don't really know whats going on are not necessarily in our district.  Everyone, including charter drivers should have been told. 

I am not trying to hear only the bad, I am trying to be realistic about what this is actually going to accomplish. 

•    Hey Joanne I was just scrolling through the comments on this sight and couldn't help but notice your opinion was much like mine when Plaistow first started organizing the Union. Much like yourself I felt no need to bring in a second party to fight for what we rightfully deserve. I argued with people and truthfully didn't want to listen. I also made quite a name for myself.  I did however attend the meetings to hear what they had to say. I was up front and honest with the Union rep by telling him I saw no reason to have a union for a small company, as we are per district. My husband is a teamster out of Boston and gets excellent pay and benefits but we all know we can only get so much as a bus driver!!!!!  So I thought!!!!! That isn't the case at all. I sat in as a witness to the vote against the union, totally thinking strongly it would never go through. To my surprise it did what a shocker. It was at  that meeting I spoke with the union rep telling him my honest opinion about how I felt.  That I was embarrassed to admit that my husband is a teamster. That is all well and good with me because of the company and local he is in. I know all  unions aren't the same but they most definately benefit the employee in more ways than one. After my discussion with the rep he said he admired my honesty and thought I would make a good shop stewart. I thought he was crazy and left there thinking how could I after the stink I put up about a union representing us. I went home and thought about it,  read the proposed contract and decided to go with it.  I am a very neutral person I see both sides.  I am friendly with everyone including management and try to do the best I can. Rumors of course still fly there isn't a company out there that has no drama. There are days where it is tricky and trying but definately no different from before. The union has done a lot for us here.  By the way the economy is today I am grateful now for what we did. We have support that is much needed at times. As a former Laidlaw employee lots of things changed with First Student much more rules and regulations,  wich is fine but it can be scary with no support or representation if an accident should occur.  I know drivers that can attest to that. I am willing to answer any questions you may have. Have an opened mind and dont be afraid to ask questions.              

                                          Chrisy