Press Releases
Durham School Bus Workers Choose Teamsters
(YPSILANTI, Mich.) – School bus workers with Durham School Services in Ypsilanti, Mich., have voted to join Teamsters Local 243 in Detroit. The 109 drivers, monitors and mechanics united for respect, fairness and consistency in their working conditions at the nation’s second-largest provider of student transportation.
“We rose to the occasion. I am just happy everyone will have a voice in the workplace,” said Marcus Wright, a driver at the Ypsilanti yard. “School bus workers deserve to be treated fairly, with fair and consistent work rules, and without the stress of being told your job is always on the line.”
The workers overcame an aggressive anti-union campaign from Durham as they worked to form their union. The drivers, monitors and mechanics cited the Teamsters’ experience and expertise representing school bus workers throughout North America as reasons they chose to join the union.
“This was a tough fight, but the workers stayed united and overcame the threats and intimidation,” said Neil Pettit, organizer and business agent at Local 243. “Our thanks go to the organizing committee and Joint Council 43 for their hard work and for fighting on behalf of the employees at Durham.”
“The workers stood strong as the company tried to put pressure on them. We are proud to welcome these hardworking men and women to the Teamsters,” said Jim Cianciolo, President of Local 243.
The Teamsters’ Drive Up Standards campaign is a global campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the privatized school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, nearly 40,000 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters. For more information on the Drive Up Standards campaign, go to www.driveupstandards.org.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.