School bus drivers, attendants and mechanics who work at First Student in Blue Valley, Kansas, took the first major step to a better workplace by voting 71-14 to join Teamsters Local 838 in Kansas City, Missouri. The workers united in order to secure fairness, respect and improved working conditions.
“It’s all kind of surreal that we did this; we’re very happy right now,” said Teresa Christensen, a First Student driver in Blue Valley. “We need to be better appreciated, by having fair pay, guaranteed hours and affordable health care. We need fair treatment and are looking forward to getting these things.”
The workers formed a strong committee to organize at their location. They also had the support of workers at the First Student school bus yard in Olathe, Kansas, a few of which came to talk with the Blue Valley workers about what it’s like to be Teamster members. The 228 workers in Olathe became Teamsters with Local 838 in October. There are 135 workers at the Blue Valley First Student location.
“This is a great group and we’re proud they chose us to represent them,” said Joe Sutton, Vice President of Local 838. “Our President, Billy Thompson, and I appreciate the work of the Teamsters International Union organizers and the Olathe workers to help the Blue Valley workers reach their goal. This was a fast process because of all the good work of everyone involved.”
This victory is the latest in an effort to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. Drive Up Standards is a national campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry.Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 14,200 workers have become Teamsters.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.
