Teamsters Press Unionization Of Toll Drivers

Bus Drivers For Alameda County Special Needs Kids Speak Out About Safety, Low Wages

School Bus Drivers Speak Out About Safety, Human Rights Concerns

(OAKLAND, Calif.) – School bus drivers with Durham School Services in Hayward and Livermore, Calif., joined today with Teamster, political, religious and other community leaders at a “Driver Speak Out” to demand better working conditions.

“Every day these hardworking drivers transport our children to school, providing a vital service for our communities. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It’s time that they are heard by this company,” said Rome Aloise, President of Teamsters Joint Council 7 and International Vice President.

Several school bus drivers from the Hayward and Livermore Durham locations spoke out about poor working conditions at the company.

“Durham has been swapping our newer buses for the aging buses of another yard so they can stay compliant there, but we have at least one to several buses breaking down every day,” said Ernie Talbott, a Livermore driver. “Where’s Durham’s commitment to safety and providing quality services?”

“I’m concerned about a lot of things,” said Linda Aguiar, a 25-year Livermore driver. “We don’t have paid sick leave and the health insurance Durham offers is too expensive for most drivers to afford, so they go without. It’s a large portion of our meager earnings to have coverage if we get sick.”

“This is a highly profitable company, but drivers are struggling to survive and support our families. For us this isn’t about being comfortable; it’s about our survival,” said Maria Lopez, a Hayward driver.

Numerous political, community and religious leaders and organizations showed their support for the drivers, including Sen. Loni Hancock (D-Oakland); Alameda County Supervisor Nadia Lockyer (District 2); Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan (District 3); Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan; Alameda Labor Council Executive Secretary- Treasurer Josie Camacho; Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont); Rev. Tita Valeriano, Messiah Lutheran Church in Hayward and Hayward Congregations Organizing for Renewal; Rev. Daniel Buford, Allen Temple; Igor Tregub, Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner; Andrew Dadko, Program Director for EBASE; Sophie Noero, Worksafe; author David Bacon; and California Young Democrats, Black Caucus.

Durham drivers in Hayward and Livermore are currently organizing with the Teamsters to improve their working conditions. The 180 drivers will vote in their Teamster election on Friday, Feb. 17.

Durham is a subsidiary of National Express Group, a large multinational corporation based in the United Kingdom. Durham is the second largest provider of school bus transportation services in the United States, servicing 11 school districts in northern California.

John Logan, Professor at San Francisco State University and Visiting Research Fellow at University of California-Berkeley, recently published a report exploring National Express Group’s human rights record. The report detailed the company’s anti-worker behavior in the U.S. and its failure to uphold international labor rights standards.

Drive Up Standards is a national campaign to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry. Since the campaign began in 2006, more than 32,400 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to www.teamster.org or follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

East Bay School Bus Drivers Consider Joining Union

Teamsters Warn Hostess Not To Misuse Bankruptcy Process

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union on Thursday warned Hostess Brands Inc. not to misuse the bankruptcy process in an attempt to bully its way to unnecessary operations changes, saying a consensual resolution with sacrifices by all stakeholders is what is required.

The company filed motions on Wednesday to reject its collective bargaining agreements with its major unions: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers Union (BCTGM).

While such filings are an extraordinary move by the company that has serious ramifications, there are no immediate changes to the collective bargaining agreements. The filing of the motions begins a formal negotiation and legal process. The negotiation phase is intended to bring the parties together to reach a consensual resolution. If that fails, a formal hearing is conducted in bankruptcy court where the judge ultimately decides whether or not to grant the motions.   

“We are prepared to negotiate in good faith to reach a consensual agreement, as I have said repeatedly,” said the Chairman of the Teamsters Bakery and Laundry Conference, Dennis Raymond, “But any agreement will be conditioned upon sacrifices by all stakeholders and an overall restructuring to make sure Hostess management doesn’t lead the company into this situation a third time.  And if Hostess management thinks it can bully its way to unnecessary changes, they are sadly mistaken.” 

“Though not unexpected at this point and after months of unsuccessfully dealing with management, the Teamsters remain disappointed by the company’s latest action,” added Teamsters International Vice President Ken Hall.  “The company has struggled as it pursued misguided strategies under revolving management.

“Meanwhile, Teamster Hostess members have sacrificed greatly over the past seven years. For Hostess to pin the blame on its employees is unconscionable and demonstrates how out of touch management is with its workforce,” Hall said. We will work hard to get a deal. But if a deal proves impossible because executives refuse to listen to reason, we will work equally hard to defend against the motions filed by the company to reject its collective bargaining agreements.” 

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including more than 7,500 delivery drivers and merchandisers at Hostess. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.