By Tammy Bartula
First Student driver
Pine Bush, NY
My name is Tammy Bartula and I’ve been a school bus driver for 16 years.
My job is interesting because I work with handicapped preschoolers. I start early in the morning and have a long day. I start my day at 6:30 am and don’t get done until 4:30 pm.
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“I'm
there every day, no matter what. I came together with my coworkers
because we needed respect, to be paid fairly and to end favoritism.”
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Safety is my top priority. Since I drive two to five-year-olds, I make certain the car seats are secured because not only do you have to drive your vehicle, you have to drive everybody else’s too. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my kids. I love the kids and I take my job very seriously.
There are some challenges with the kids, but we work through them. Some of the children are severely handicapped. There are a few children who use sign language. My monitor and I are beginning to learn sign language. We find ways through the challenges.
I enjoy my job, but I also need my job. I’m a single mom. I’m there every day, no matter what. I came together with my coworkers because we needed respect, to be paid fairly and to end the favoritism. We wanted to form a union and we recently made it happen.
It feels great to be a Teamster because it gives us a voice. We now have someone to stand behind us and support us.
Go Teamsters!
