October 29, 2014
By Stephanie West
Oakland, California – First Student school bus drivers in Oakland, California, have voted in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, California. The drivers transport children in the Oakland Unified School District.
"We are happy about our vote for the Teamsters. We need representation and a voice. We need a union to have our back," said Jacqueline Pittman, a 20-year driver who works at First Student.
The drivers and monitors will be covered by the Teamsters' national master agreement with First Student. The agreement covers over 21,000 Teamsters who work at First Student. Economics and individual gains will be negotiated by Teamsters Local 853.
"We are excited to represent another group of school bus drivers who do the important work of transporting our children," said Rome Aloise, Teamsters Local 853 Secretary-Treasurer and International Vice President.
