FIRST STUDENT EMPLOYEES - ALBERTA
Canadian School Bus Workers Choose Teamsters
School bus drivers and mechanics with First Student in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada are now Teamster Members, after a vote in favor of representation by Teamsters Local 362 in Calgary. The election for the 63 workers happened quickly, with most of the workers having signed cards early on in the campaign. The election was certified on March 10 and the next step will be to negotiate with the company to improve working conditions.
There is a national campaign going on in Canada and the United States to organize First Student employees into the Teamsters Union. Drive Up The Standards is a campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters now represent more than 35,000 members in the school bus industry, with 24,000 First Student School Bus workers under more than 130 Collective Bargaining Agreements. Since 2006 there have been over 100 victories at locations across Canada and the United States.
First Student Employees in Edmonton, Vegreville, Ft. Saskatchewan, Morinville and St. Albert have all voted in favour of Teamster Representation. Become part of the movement to Drive Up The Standards in the school bus industry and join the Teamsters Union today. To view the excitement across North America check out our website at www.teamsters362.com
With 40% or more First Student employee signatures on a petition (for your area) application can be made to hold a Labour Board Conducted Vote to determine Teamster Representation. Help us, help you, by signing the petition immediately. If you have any questions or concerns or for more information on where to sign up call John Doerksen at 403-861-1823.
Recently complaints were filed against First Canada for violations of the Freedom of Association Policy by three Canadian Teamster Locals. The company took the position that the policy was not in effect in Canada but would be introduced by June 1, 2009. This policy if adhered to by management at First Canada will allow employees to sign a Union petition and associate themselves with the Union campaign without fear of discipline, termination, retaliation or verbal interference from management. To view this policy and monitoring program please visit www.foamonitor.com
Yours in Solidarity,
John Doerksen
Organizer
For more information check out the following webpages and articles of interest:
Victories
Employer Facts
Help Us Help you
People Helping People
Benefits Achieved Through Teamsters Contracts
Addendum to the 2007-08 Employee Handbook
Canadian Teamsters
Join Us
Make a differencewww.driveupstandards.org
www.schoolbusworkersunited.org
www.teamster.org