“Taking kids to school is very important work. Having worked all my life, I realize that I need a union to look out for me!”
David Gelberg, Durham driver, Local 469 member, Middletown, New Jersey
“The turnout at our vote was great. We got what we wanted. I’m glad we’re Teamsters now because I feel like our conditions at work will get better as a result.”
Cleo Bonnie, First Student monitor, Local 662 member, Schofield, Wisconsin
“I feel that the Teamsters is definitely the strongest, most supportive and most capable union to handle our needs. We have a trip bidding system and we have language for how we get paid per run now. Our contract language is very helpful. It gives us clarity and consistency because we have it all in writing.”
Manuela Kucharczyk, First Student driver, Local 773 member, Macungie, Pennsylvania
“No matter where you go, workers are facing the same issues. But when we pull together, everyone is equal, so we all have a chance at a decent job with benefits.”
Laurie Polesel, First Student driver, Local 445 member, Wallkill, New York
“Since we voted to become Teamsters, management has become more engaged when dealing with accidents or other situations that may require drivers to be called in for a conference, with a union steward present, of course. Even without a contract in place, it’s as though we already have a grievance procedure and management is open to dialogue from the union stewards when dealing with drivers.”
Scott Parham, First Student driver, Local 120 member, Snelling-St. Paul, Minnesota
“I knew we needed a union at First Student. This year First Student decided to freeze our wages, and being part of the negotiating team, I realized this was not going to be a permanent freeze. When we begin working under our union contract, we will see our wages increase and will not have to worry about wages being frozen anymore. If we did not have the Teamsters Union we would be in real bad shape at First Student.”
Ricki Robinson, First Student driver, Local 638 member, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
“The Teamsters helped me gain respect at my job and better benefits.”
Luis Gallardo, First Student driver, Local 179 member, Naperville, Illinois
“We’ve wanted this for the past two years, and finally having our union is wonderful! We tried twice before to form a union, but the company wanted us to give them another chance, so we did, and nothing changed. This time we did something for ourselves and joined the Teamsters.”
Muriel Gaston, Durham driver, Local 838 member, Kansas City, Missouri
“Due to pay increases and additional benefits, my family now has a better way of life. We are actually treated with respect and dignity at work now.”
Tani Benson, First Student driver, Local 777 member, Batavia, Illinois
“In our contract we have 27 articles covering anything you could imagine from seniority to just cause language. Article 8 of our contract provides for a three-step grievance procedure with the possibility of arbitration to address any issues in our workplace. Fortunately, we haven’t had to use this a lot, but it’s there, if there are any problems we need to address with management.”
Steve Chandler, First Student driver, Local 838 member, Gardner, Kansas
