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Teamsters at First Student Chicago Unanimously Ratify New Agreement
(CHICAGO, Illinois) –Bus drivers and monitors in Chicago, Ill. voted unanimously to ratify their first union contract with First Student as members of Teamsters Local 777. The agreement covers approximately 115 workers and provides annual improvements throughout the life of the contract, which expires June 30, 2021.
“Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to increase their wages and benefits through negotiations,” said Jim Glimco, President of Teamsters Local 777. “This is a group that knew what they wanted, stayed united and got what they wanted.”
The contract includes a number of new benefits for the workers. Additional paid holidays were added, including Memorial Day and Super Bowl Sunday. The contract also includes retention and signing bonuses, paid funeral leave, new vision and life insurance coverage, improved safety measures, increases in wages and a reduction in the time it takes to receive the top pay rate.
“We got a lot of good things for the people; we did a good job here,” said Sammie Sledge, a driver who served on the negotiating committee. “Before, we were at-will employees, and the company could do whatever they wanted to do. Now, with the collective bargaining agreement, we’ve got it going on.”
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in 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.