(WASHINGTON) – First Student school bus drivers and monitors in Middlebury, Connecticut, have voted 60-16 in favor of joining Teamsters Local 677 in Waterbury. The workers came together seeking improvements to their working conditions, including respect from management and affordable health insurance.

“I’m very happy with the vote,” said Frank Neville, a driver. “I can’t afford the medical coverage because it’s so expensive and our wages are stagnant. I think being united will make things better here.”

The workers in Middlebury worked tirelessly, talking with their co-workers throughout the campaign, and getting out the voting information. And they were not alone. Since January 19, 277 school bus workers at six First Student locations throughout New England, including Middlebury, have joined the Teamsters.

“Congratulations to these workers on their great victory. They’re building on the successes of other First Student workers who’ve recently joined the Teamsters in New England and we’re honored to have them as our members,” said David W. Laughton, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Joint Council 10.

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 24,700 drivers, monitors, aides, mechanics and attendants have become Teamsters.

For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, go to www.schoolbusworkersunited.org

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

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