Hundreds of Teamsters at Illinois Central Secure Better Wages, Vision Benefits
Members of Teamsters Local 777 working for Illinois Central School Bus recently ratified two identical four-year contracts at Chicago-area bus yards.
The agreements include substantial wage and benefit increases for all drivers, attendants and aides, bringing the protection of a Teamster contract to approximately 250 total workers. The Local 777 members overwhelmingly ratified the agreements to lock down six percent raises to wage and benefit packages in the first year, and five percent raises each of the next three years.
The Local 777-represented school bus workers staff Illinois Central facilities in West Chicago and Carol Stream. Their contract ratifications follow another strong deal negotiated with the same company by Local 777 representatives and Teamster bargaining committee members in suburban St. Charles.
“With these latest contracts, Teamsters Local 777 is setting a standard of parity within the Teamsters and Illinois Central on wages and benefits for workers in the industry,” said Greg Glimco, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 777. “The final offers on both contracts were good deals for all of our members, but these were agreements that would not have been possible without our dedicated bargaining committees. These most recent negotiations further prove that when more union members get involved, the more benefits and advantages we can achieve together.”
In addition to wage increases, the West Chicago and Carol Stream contracts provide improved vision care benefits for all members paid in full by the employer.
For the past decade, the Teamsters’ Drive Up Standards campaign has worked to improve safety, service and work standards in the private school bus and transit industry. More than 35,000 drivers, monitors, aides, attendants and mechanics have become Teamsters since the campaign began.
Teamsters Local 777 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, America’s premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and northwest Indiana.