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Drivers, Monitors with North River Collaborative Join Teamsters 653
(SOUTH EASTON, Mass.) – Drivers and monitors with Massachusetts’s North River Collaborative have joined Teamsters Local 653 in South Easton, Mass. The 74 workers transport students with special needs and are based in Abington and Rockland, Mass.
The workers’ election at North River Collaborative was conducted through card-check and certified by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations. North River Collaborative is an educational organization formed in 1976 to serve as an extension of school districts and provides student transport.
“We decided to organize because we need job security, seniority and the backing of a union, and that’s why we contacted Teamsters Local 653,” said Jim Swanton, an eight-year driver for North River Collaborative. “It’s been a pleasure working with the Teamsters organization and we’re ecstatic about joining the union.”
“We’re proud to welcome these united workers to the Teamsters,” said Bill Trask, Vice President and business agent with Local 653. “Through the leadership of Dave Laughton at Teamsters Joint Council 10, Local 25 President Sean O’Brien, organizer Roger Travers, and the Local 653 Executive Board, it was a full team effort to help the drivers and monitors with their successful organizing effort.”
“I was a Teamster member with Local 25 in Boston for 35 years and am happy to join the Teamsters here at North River Collaborative,” said Charlie Gray, a seven-year driver from Abington.
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.