Susan Reeves, Local 959, Alaska

Susan Reeves, a First Student shop steward, was recently featured in the Teamsters Local 959 newsletter:

Assuming the mantle of chief shop steward for a remote work force in Alaska is not an easy task. Yet, Susan Reeves took it on gladly, believing in the importance of the union. Reeves is invaluable to the Local 959 members of First Student in Kenai because of her willingness to put in countless hours, fighting to protect her co-workers’ rights in the workplace.

“Every day is an adventure with this group!” Reeves said. She adds that there is never a dull moment and there is always something to do or take care of.

Raised in Chicago, Reeves moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1990. She attended college at Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology and later began driving a school bus to support herself and her children. She has driven a school bus for several companies over the years, and has received safe driving awards all 13 years of her career. She has also had specialized training to facilitate driving a 40-foot bus in some difficult and harsh conditions, such as: 

• Mountain driving in the Colorado Rockies;
• Ice storm driving without use of tire chains in the Midwest;
• Emergency procedures in dealing with brake failure and fires; and
• Training with special needs passengers. 

In 2007, she transferred to Alaska and became employed with Laidlaw Transit. When First Student won the busing contract on the Kenai Peninsula, Reeves became very involved in the employees’ efforts to organize their unit in 2008 and was soon asked to be shop steward. 

“It has been a learning experience for me being a shop steward in a remote location,” Reeves said. “I found out everyone looks to me for the answers, so learning the contract by heart was definitely step one. Reading and learning all I could on how to be an effective shop steward also helped.”

When she isn’t busy with work, and further representing the Local 959 members at First Student, Reeves enjoys the Kenai specialties of fishing, camping and hiking. She is also an active member of her church.