(XENIA, OH) — On Nov. 6, Teamsters Local 957 members working for First Student approved an agreement with the company after five months of negotiations and the threat of a strike, which was narrowly avoided. The agreement was ratified by more than a 70 percent margin.

“The bargaining unit really came together at the final hour in solidarity to ratify an agreement that is fair to everyone,” said Local 957 President Kenneth Howard. “We’re looking forward to a productive relationship with the company at this yard over the next few years.”

The successor agreement contains wage increases and increases in personal days for drivers and monitors, a key issue to the workers at the Xenia location. It also includes improvements to the grievance process and establishes quarterly meetings for a committee that works to establish positive relations between labor and management.

Christine Little and Anna Shoemaker are stewards that served on the bargaining committee during contract negotiations with First Student.

“The drivers and the monitors really stuck together,” Little said. “We maintained solidarity and it was a good outcome.”

“Our business agents and the team at the local were wonderful; they were a big help in pulling everyone together,” Shoemaker said. “We were focused on bringing people together on their common issues, and we got a good contract.”

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 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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