WASHINGTON — School bus workers with First Student in Woodburn, Ore., have voted by a 2-1 margin to become members of Teamsters Local 324 in Salem. There are 44 drivers, mechanics, oil checkers and lot maintenance workers in the bargaining unit.
“I thought the vote went great,” said Sabrina Conaway, a driver. “We work with children, which is important, but we are not treated very well. We joined the Teamsters so we can have representation and protection.”
“The organizing committee of workers took control and did great work. It was a team effort, from the workers, the International Union, Joint Council 37 and Local 324, that led to this overwhelming success,” said Chris Muhs, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 324.
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 29,100 drivers, monitors, aides, mechanics and attendants have become Teamsters.
For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, go to: www.schoolbusworkersunited.org.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
