Pennsylvania School Bus Workers Choose Teamsters Union

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Dec 08, 2010, 12:08 ET

Columbus First Student Workers Join Teamsters Local 773

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- School bus workers with First Student in Allentown, Pa., have voted to become members of Teamsters Local 773 in Allentown. There are 204 drivers and monitors in the bargaining unit.

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"I wanted to become a Teamster so my coworkers and I will be treated fairly and treated with respect," said Hector Rivera, a driver since 2006. "We also deserve fair wages for the hard work we do everyday taking children to and from school."

"The main concern with the drivers and monitors was fairness," said Dennis Hower, Vice President of Local 773 and also a business agent. "The workers want an end to the favoritism that has been going on."

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 29,400 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