LX

Over 17,000 Teamsters Avert Nationwide Strike at First Student, Reach Tentative Agreement The Teamsters First Student National Negotiating Committee (TFSNNC) has reached a strong tentative agreement with First Student, averting a nationwide strike that could have included thousands of school bus workers across 96 locals. The deal comes after members voted by an 88 percent margin to authorize a strike, sending a clear message to the company that they were prepared to take action to win a fair contract. “First Student Teamsters were unified and prepared to take on this company nationwide. Our solidarity forced real movement at the bargaining table, and we delivered a contract in the 11th hour that honors the critical work our members do every day,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Teamsters set the standard for the entire school bus industry, and this agreement raises the bar for school bus transportation workers everywhere.” The new agreement establishes a national foundation for economics that will be applied across all local agreements, including stronger retirement benefits, improved access to health care benefits, and robust contractual protections for all members. These improved national minimum standards only serve to boost bargaining on important issues at the local level. Teamsters at First Student will have the opportunity to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks. “This tentative agreement is the direct result of members standing shoulder to shoulder and refusing to settle for less,” said Matt Taibi, Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division. “Workers showed the company they were prepared to strike if necessary, and that solidarity made the difference at the bargaining table. This agreement reflects the strength and determination of Teamsters who keep students safe and communities running.” The National First Student Master Agreement protects more than 17,000 bus workers across the country and was set to expire March 31. “We went into negotiations determined to secure an agreement that reflects the value of the work we provide to our communities every day,” said Kelly Plaisted, a school bus worker with Teamsters Local 633 and member of the negotiating committee. “We stood ready to strike nationwide, and that strength gave us the leverage to reach this tentative agreement.”

Thank you @RoKhanna for supporting the recently organized drivers at Temco Logistics, the first group of unionized workers at Home Depot and its subsidiaries in the country. The drivers joined the Teamsters amidst an intense anti-union campaign from the company, including threats from Home Depot to shut down operations. We call on Home Depot and Temco Logistics to recognize Temco Teamsters and begin bargaining  a union contract immediately.

Teamsters Local 570 hosted its annual stewards seminar today, bringing together rank-and-file leaders committed to protecting members across Maryland. The seminar was led by Local 570 President Sean Cedenio, whose leadership has fueled major growth and momentum. Over the past three years, the local has organized more than 400 new members, secured strong agreements with industry-leading gains, and built the financial strength to aggressively enforce contracts and defend members. Teamsters International Vice Presidents James Wright, Matt Taibi, Bill Hamilton, and Rocco Calo were in attendance, showing the full backing of the International Union behind Local 570. Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien addressed the group by video. “Like you, I too was once a steward back in Boston. I always tell people there’s no better job in the union,” O’Brien said. “You get to take on the boss face to face. You get to stand up for your friends and co-workers. You get to drive management nuts. You are the lifeblood of the Teamsters.”

Teamsters International Vice President Peter Finn recently appeared on the Today Show to talk about the threats that driverless truck companies like Gatik pose to motorist safety and middle-class careers. The Teamsters are fighting for regulations that impose common sense guardrails on autonomous vehicles all across the country.

A group of 30 bus workers at Zum Transportation in Goleta, Calif., overwhelmingly voted to join Teamsters Local 186 and are preparing to fight for a strong Teamster contract that guarantees better working conditions and gives these workers a powerful voice on the job. The Teamsters Union has organized workers at Zum Transportation across the country and is committed to continuing to raise the standards in the passenger transportation industry for our members nationwide. “I am so happy to call myself a Teamster,” said Sandra Meshinko, bus driver and member of Local 186. “We stood together and won a collective voice when it comes to wages, healthcare and working conditions.”

Thirty drivers at High Desert Distributing in Bakersfield, Calif., have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 87. The drivers voted for strong union representation with the Teamsters to secure higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. High Desert is a part of the Reyes Beverage Group, the largest beer distributor in the United States, delivering over 336 million cases per year. Workers at High Desert join thousands of Teamsters across the country working in the beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage distributing business.