Press Releases

Ohio First Transit Drivers Choose Teamsters

First Transit in Xenia, Ohio who provides transportation services for people with mental and physical disabilities have voted to join the Teamsters.

On June 30, the workers voted 20-12 to join the union. There are 38 workers in the bargaining unit who are now represented by Teamsters Local 957 in Dayton, Ohio.

Gloria Daye, a driver for three years, said the workers knew they needed to do something to change the atmosphere of favoritism.

“Now we have a way to deal with workplace issues and a strong voice to represent us,” Daye said.

Varney Richmond, President of Local 957, said workers deserve to be treated fairly.

“We will work hard for these workers to make sure they are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve,” Richmond said.

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 18,700 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.