Durham Drivers in Pennsylvania Join Teamsters Union

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Apr 28, 2010, 03:38 ET

Spring Grove School Bus Workers Stand United for Better Working Conditions

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- School bus drivers with Durham School Services in Spring Grove, Pa. have voted to join Teamsters Local 776 in Harrisburg. The drivers united to protect their rights on the job and improve their working conditions. There are 95 workers in the bargaining unit.

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"I've been here 15 years and we've been through a lot of changes in ownership; we were made promises that weren't kept, and it just keeps getting worse," said Kathy Sterner, a driver. "The wage freeze and bonus loss mean a loss of up to $1,200 for some of us this year. We united so we can have some oversight to be paid properly and have a say."

According to the drivers, they were undeterred by the company's anti-union campaign and decided the best choice for their fellow workers and families was to join together as Teamsters.

"This was a great victory. The workers were prepared and ready to unite, and there was a good partnership between the International Union, local union and Joint Council," said Carlos Ramos, President of Local 776.

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 26,600 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.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters