School bus drivers and monitors with First Student in Jefferson City, Missouri, have voted to ratify their first Teamster contract. The 112 workers who organized in October achieved a strong Teamster contract after a final 16-hour negotiation session.

“It was tireless and hard won, but we stuck together and with the help of the International Union contract experts and the support of the community, we were able to get a strong first contract for our members,” said Mark Bruemmer, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 833.

On June 1, the workers took a strike vote after contract negotiations appeared to reach an impasse. However, negotiations continued over the summer, with the company finally budging after a marathon negotiation session on August 10 from its “last, best and final offer” made on May 26. The final agreement includes wage increases over the four-year contract from $2.00 to $3.90, dependant upon length of service, which for some workers more than doubles the company’s original proposed wage increase. The workers also gain a grievance procedure, job protections and a say in their working conditions through their newly negotiated contract.

The drivers and monitors are back on the buses today, the first day of school.