Illinois First Student Workers Join Teamsters Union

School bus drivers and monitors at First Student in Batavia, Illinois, have voted to join the Teamsters Union. The workers joined Teamsters Local 777 seeking improvements in their working conditions, including fair pay, better and more affordable health insurance and fairness on the job. There are 218 workers in the bargaining unit.

"Over the five years that I've worked here, so much has changed and so much has been taken away from us," said Tani Benson, a driver. "Right now I either survive and pay my bills or pay the huge amount that the company's insurance costs, so I go without health insurance. I'm hopeful that we can make the changes we need as Teamsters."

The victory was made possible by the hard work of the organizing committee of workers, who stuck together, doing whatever necessary to become Teamster members.

"One of the workers, Antoinette Gray, was in the hospital, and she made them release her a day early so she could vote to join the Teamsters," said James T. Glimco, President of Local 777 in Brookfield. "Her vote made a difference, and when you see workers that are dedicated like that, we work our absolute hardest for them."

"Congratulations to the newest members of our union. They are to be commended for uniting as Teamsters for the improvements they deserve, and we look forward to assisting in the negotiation of a contract that will raise standards in their workplace," said John T. Coli, Teamsters Vice President and President of Joint Council 25.

This victory is the latest in an effort to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. Drive Up Standards is a national campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 16,750 workers have become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States and Canada.