Mechanics with First Student in St. Anns, Ontario, recently voted unanimously to ratify their first Teamster contract. The contract covers 10 mechanics and includes wage increases, health and welfare gains, first-time tool allowances, a grievance procedure and more.

“This is a great contract for a group of workers who had found themselves getting further behind each year and needed representation,” said John McCann, President of Teamsters Local 879 in Hamilton.

After the mechanics joined Local 879, approximately 200 school bus drivers at the same First Student yard decided to sign cards to become Teamsters, as well. The drivers are currently in negotiations on a first agreement.

Both the mechanics and drivers became Teamsters to have the ability to negotiate with their employer over the terms and conditions of their work, including wages and treatment on the job.

Since the Teamsters campaign to drive up standards in the private school bus and transit industry began in 2006, more than 27,500 drivers, monitors, aides, mechanics and attendants have become Teamsters.

For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, go to: www.schoolbusworkersunited.org