WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2012 — First Student monitors in Olathe, Kan., have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 838 in Kansas City. The 95 workers are uniting for better wages, benefits, respect and a voice on the job.
“I feel the industry that we’re in really needs to drive up their standards. We need better benefits and pay, especially given the jobs that we do,” said Patricia Heath, a First Student monitor.
The organizing committee of workers worked hard together throughout the campaign, rallying support behind their successful effort to gain Teamster representation. The monitors join the more than 200 school bus drivers at this location who were already members of Local 838.
“We’ve really come together throughout the whole process. There is communication now where none existed before,” Heath said.
“We’re hoping that we can add some stability to these people’s lives. We look forward to bargaining a great first contract for them,” said Billy Thompson, president of Local 838. “I welcome these workers to the Teamster family.”
The 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 32,400 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter.
