Durham School Bus Workers Join Teamsters Union

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International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Oct 25, 2010, 02:57 ET

Jacksonville, Fla., Drivers and Attendants Unite to Improve Working Conditions

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- School bus drivers and attendants with Durham School Services in Jacksonville, Fla., have taken the first big step toward securing their future, voting 209-93 in favor of joining Teamsters Local 512. There are 333 workers in the bargaining unit.

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"I'm so excited. I fought long and hard for this," said Jackie Laureiro, a driver at Durham's 103rd Street location. "I'm looking forward to continuity, to people staying because they have better pay, benefits and are treated right."

"I knew we needed change and the Teamsters would be the best way to go," said Beverly Parrish, who works at Durham's Imeson yard.

The newly organized Durham workers are among the approximately 1,500 Teamster school bus workers who transport students in the Duval County School District. The new Teamster members are looking forward to negotiating a contract that will improve their working conditions, allowing them to provide the best service possible for area schoolchildren.

"This is a great victory for the workers, Local 512, Joint Council 75 and the International Union, because we all worked together. Everyone did a great job and the success shows in the vote," said Ken Wood, International Vice President and President of Teamsters Joint Council 75.

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.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters