Taking Action at the Workplace 

As school bus workers, we take great pride in the important work that we do for our communities. We cannot, and do not, sit still when it comes to making sure that we have appropriate working conditions. We are vigilant in taking a stand for better safety standards, livable wages and fairness in our yards. Across the country, we’ve stood up for our rights in the workplace by taking our concerns straight to the boss. We know that only by raising our voices will we be able to raise standards in this industry.

Piscataway, New Jersey:
School bus workers at First Student in Piscataway, New Jersey recently voted by more than a 2-1 margin in favor of Teamster representation. The 125 drivers, attendants and mechanics faced poor working conditions and knew something had to change.

Prior to the election, a group of workers marched into the offices to take a stand for safety. Concerned about safety conditions on the buses and in the bus yards, the drivers let management know that safety is their highest priority and that they will always stand up for safe working conditions.

This worker action brought the employees together as coworkers uniting for a common cause. On May 23, they overwhelmingly chose Teamster representation.

"We're happy. We're celebrating the vote. We love this. I'm so happy right now because I wanted this so bad. I wanted some respect and now we're going to get it." Bill Valentino, driver, First Student, Piscataway.

Danville, Illinois:
School bus workers with First Student in Danville, Illinois were particularly concerned about safety standards, and this was a major factor in their decision to form a union.

A survey of the First Student employees in Danville revealed that safety and respect were among the top issues that lead to the decision for Teamster representation. One hundred percent of workers surveyed said they should be able to refuse work based on unsafe conditions or lack of training. The workers also wanted to see more respect and the elimination of favoritism. Ninety-six percent of the respondents said they do not feel First Student values their service.

The workers in Danville formed their union through teamwork and resolve. They showed strength in numbers, specifically through “marching on the boss.” The workers approached management as a group, demonstrating their solidarity and calling for change in levels of safety and respect in their workplace. In January, the 80 First Student employees became Teamster members.

“There are so many safety issues that we need to address—and I know as Teamsters we will have this opportunity.” Marilyn Street, driver, First Student, Danville, Illinois

Valley Central, New York:
School bus workers in Valley Central, New York were united from the beginning and determined to form their union.

Prior to their union election, the workers came together at the Local 445 offices to make phone calls to their coworkers, urging them to vote. After driving kids to school before the sun had even come up and getting off work late in the evening, the workers spent their evenings talking about the importance of forming a union and urging their coworkers to get on board.

And get on board, they did. The phone banking helped spread the word. And now these school bus workers are union members.

“The instant our union votes were counted, I felt a sense of relief and happiness. I feel secure now, knowing that the company won’t be able to just do as they please. We supported each other and earned our union victory.” George Benedict, driver, First Student, Valley Central.

Empowered by their union victory, the Valley Central First Student workers lent their support and encouragement to the First Student drivers in nearby Pine Bush, New York. These workers became members of the same Teamsters local, Local 445, in January. In April, First Student workers in Wallkill, just down the street from the Valley Central yard and not far from Pine Bush, had the opportunity to become the third group of First Student workers in the area to become Teamsters. And they seized this opportunity. Teamsters at First Student in Pine Bush and Valley Central mobilized and spread their knowledge and information about unionism to the Wallkill drivers. With the support of the Valley Central and Pine Bush drivers, aides and mechanics, in April the employees in Wallkill joined Teamsters Local 445.

“This is so great. We were all so emotional when we all heard the news. It was a sweet victory and a long time coming. We want to thank the other First Student drivers who came over and celebrated with us.” Becky Finch, driver, First Student, Wallkill.

Anchorage, Alaska:
In Anchorage, Alaska, First Student workers took a strong stance and demonstrated that they would not tolerate any efforts to keep them from forming their union.

The workers had already been Teamsters, when in April 2005, antiunion employees persuaded their coworkers to decertify the union. After the decertification, the workers learned to appreciate the difference that Teamster membership had made in their lives and went to work immediately on winning back their union. They came together through several actions, including marching in to the office with First Student DVDs they had been given by management. They told the managers that the DVDs violated FirstGroup’s neutrality policy, and returned them. After standing as a strong, unified front, on December 20, the First Student workers in Anchorage successfully became Teamsters.

“We’ve worked hard together in the fight for better wages and respect on the job. We kept going, stuck together and made some real changes in our lives.” Koretta Ioane, driver, First Student, Anchorage, Alaska.

Baltimore, Maryland:
Teamster members who work at First Student in Baltimore were extremely active before and after they formed their union.

In May, 2006, bus drivers from First Student in Baltimore, Maryland met with Mayor Martin O’Malley at Teamsters Local 570 to convey their concerns over anti-union tactics employed by the company during the struggle to secure the Teamsters as their bargaining representative.

In addition to gaining the public support of O’Malley, now Governor of Maryland, they also met with various local political and community leaders and obtained their support. They attended rallies and various functions to show the people of Baltimore that they needed to achieve better work standards for the good of all in the community.

The employees also spoke before the Baltimore school board and worked to protect their jobs in the face of major changes revolving around First Student’s termination of its contract with the district. They were victorious in achieving the endorsement of the Baltimore City Public Schools of worker retention language to protect their jobs.

The Baltimore drivers stand as a prime example of the difference school bus workers can make when they are engaged and active in their working lives.