Teamsters Strike First Student Over Unfair Labor Practices

Company Representatives Walk Out of Negotiations, Arbitrarily Implement Changes

School bus workers with First Student in DeKalb went on strike on Monday after overwhelmingly voting down a company offer over the weekend.

Approximately 95 drivers and monitors represented by Teamsters Local 330 have been showing good faith with First Student since October, when workers turned down the company’s first contract proposal. But when the union returned to the bargaining table this month, accompanied by a federal mediator and counteroffer, First Student declared negotiations were at an impasse and walked out.

“Refusing to submit a counterproposal in writing and walking out on a federally-mediated bargaining session shows that the company has no intention of bargaining in good faith,” said Dominic Romanazzi, Local 330 President. “We have been in negotiations since March and these workers deserve a fair and equitable agreement.”

The Teamsters recently filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board over First Student’s actions. Union members and supporters will join workers on the DeKalb strike line from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. daily until company representatives agree to return to negotiations in good faith.

“We care about these kids and do an important job for this community,” said Leah Henderson, an eight-year driver for First Student. “We deserve to be treated with respect and to get a fair shake from this company.”

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents school bus drivers throughout Illinois, including approximately 100 drivers with Teamsters Local 673, approximately 800 workers with Teamsters Local 777, approximately 700 with Teamsters Local 179 and approximately 360 with Teamsters Local 330.

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