(Thanks to Ted Perez for this great photo)

What an honor to be sitting in the back of the room, blogging to the site while our Organizing Coordinator announces that in  2008 we have already tasted the sweet flavor of 10 victories.

About an hour or so ago, those of us here in Jacksonville, Florida returned from a spirited rally at the area First Student yard. Just like the 5,700 First Student and Laidlaw bus and transit workers before them, Jacksonville First Student workers also want the Teamsters!

"These drivers and transit workers work hard every day to ensure the safety and security of our children," Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President, said at the rally. "They deserve our respect. They deserve safe working conditions and fair wages and benefits."

The rally proved a lot of interesting points. The most critical being that Jacksonville needs and wants Teamster representation, and the Teamsters are here for us. "First Student wants to keep treating its employees like second-class citizens, but the Teamsters won't stand for it," Hoffa said.

Gaining respect on the job is important to many First Student drivers who have chosen Teamsters. "The reason I want to be a Teamster is so that I can have a voice at work," said Corlene Isaacs, a seven-year employee of First Student. "Management doesn't respect us now, but they will with a union."

And Corlene ... you could not have said that better ...