Rhode Island First Student Workers Choose Teamsters Union

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-04-2009/0005000886&EDATE=

Wood River Junction School Bus Workers Seek Fairness and Respect

WASHINGTON, April 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Student school bus workers in Wood River Junction, Rhode Island, have voted to join Teamsters Local 251 in East Providence, taking a critical step toward gaining important changes in their workplace, including fair pay, better and more affordable health insurance and respect on the job.

"I'm extremely happy that we're Teamsters. I made the call to the Teamsters to get this started because we need better pay, better benefits and a system for handing out work that is fair," said Bonnie Pierce, a driver with First Student in Wood River Junction. "My husband is a Teamster and his benefits are excellent. I would like the same for all of us here."

The bargaining unit of 120 workers includes drivers, mechanics, maintenance employees, aides, monitors and attendants.

"We worked hard to join the Teamsters because we needed it," said Kim Reilly, a driver. "I don't have the insurance because it's too expensive, so I would like better benefits and for the favoritism to end."

The dedicated organizing committee of workers was assisted by Local 251 and International Union organizers in making the vote for Teamster representation a reality.

FULL story at link.