Student Transportation of America Workers Vote 'Teamsters YES!'

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Nov 09, 2011, 11:11 ET

Workers Join Local 287 in San Jose to Gain a Strong Partner in the Workplace

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eighty Student Transportation of America (STA) workers in San Jose, Calif. voted to become Teamsters Tuesday evening, uniting for respect and a voice on the job.

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"I look forward to better benefits and being treated with respect on the job," said Kelly Watson. "My co-workers and I have really worked hard to come to this point and we're going to continue to work hard so we can secure a strong contract."

During their organizing campaign, STA workers held a "Speak Out," a meeting where they brought their concerns and working conditions to the attention of the community. Dozens of workers spoke about the struggles they faced and why they chose to form their union.

"It felt good to tell people about our struggles and to have our community actually listen to us," Watson said. "Confronting issues like favoritism, no paid sick days and a lack of respect head on was very empowering. Speaking out gave us the inspiration we needed to come together and form our union."

The workers will join Local 287 in San Jose.

"We are elated to welcome these workers to our union and into the Teamster family," said Bob Blanchet, President of Local 287. "These are hardworking people who will make a great impact on our local and we look forward to helping them secure a strong Teamster contract."

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 30,900 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters