Chariot Drivers Join Teamsters Union

SAN FRANCISCO, May 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- San Francisco commuter shuttle drivers for Chariot, a jitney service owned by Ford Motor Company, chose Teamsters representation today via card-check agreement.

Ford recognized the Teamsters as the bargaining representative of Chariot workers based on an overwhelming showing of support by the drivers.

The 215 drivers are seeking better wages, benefits and working conditions.

"Right now, the drivers are not making enough to keep up with the cost of living in the Bay Area. We're looking forward to negotiating with the company to improve the working conditions for Chariot drivers," said Mark Gleason, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 665.

"We're excited to have the Chariot drivers as part of our union. Whether they work for a private on-demand company or the high tech industry, drivers are joining the Teamsters for many of the same reasons—to gain a good wage, benefits and respectful treatment on the job. We're proud that our involvement in the transportation industry helps level the playing field," said Rome Aloise, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7. 

Chariot operates 150 passenger vans around San Francisco. The company announced plans earlier this year to expand to eight cities in 2017.

The union is encouraging the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to develop a program for private bus companies that will mirror the labor harmony provision that exists in the permitting program for shuttle buses serving high tech companies.

Shuttle drivers for contractors servicing Yahoo, Facebook, Salesforce, Apple, Genentech, eBay, Cisco, Amtrak, Netflix, Zynga, PayPal, LinkedIn and Twitter have all joined the Teamsters since 2014.

The Teamsters Union is part of a growing movement of labor, faith and community-based organizations and workers challenging income inequality in Silicon Valley through an innovative partnership called Silicon Valley Rising. For more information, visit http://siliconvalleyrising.org.

For more information on tech worker organizing with the Teamsters, visit: http://teamster.org/tech-drivers-deserve-union.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters 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 @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:
Doug Bloch, (510) 333-1179
[email protected] 

SOURCE Teamsters Local 665

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