California School Bus Drivers and Monitors Choose Teamsters

Pasadena First Student Workers Unite for Respect and Better Working Conditions

WASHINGTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — First Student school bus drivers and monitors in Pasadena, California, have voted to join Teamsters Local 848 in Covina by an impressive 3-1 margin. There are 207 workers in the bargaining unit.

“I was ecstatic about the vote because we need a union, and that’s why we worked so hard for it,” said Darryl Rodgers, a driver.

Rodgers and his coworkers united, forming a workers’ committee, and are now looking forward to the opportunity to negotiate for improvements. Chief among their priorities are fair wages, better and more affordable health care and respect from management.

“I was excited,” said fellow driver Maria Soria, about the 125-42 vote in favor of Teamster representation. “I want to be respected at my job and for the work to go by seniority, not favoritism.”

“Congratulations go out to these dedicated workers, as well as to Jeremy Baltazar, Gary Young and Gordon Ament, the great International Union and Local 848 organizers who were tireless in helping these workers achieve this great victory,” said Jim Santangelo, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 848 and President of Teamsters Joint Council 42.

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 18,200 drivers, monitors, aides, mechanics and attendants have become Teamsters.

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

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters