Workers Looking to Improve Safety, Maintenance Standards at Bus Yard

(METROPOLIS, Ill.) — After a nine month organizing campaign, drivers and monitors at Durham School Services in Metropolis, Ill. have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 50. The 37 workers transport the students in Massac Unit School District Number One, which covers Metropolis and surrounding areas.

“Our newest members stood up for their right to organize for fair wages, benefits and respect, despite significant pressure from their employer,” said Local 50 business agent Jason Ashmore. “They all worked hard together and they should be very proud of their accomplishment. We are proud to call them fellow Teamsters.”

Safety was a top concern for the group ahead of the election on Thursday. Workers documented broken equipment, numerous mechanical problems and even airborne mold on the buses that went unaddressed by the company. They made their voices heard at multiple school board meetings to publicly raise concerns about the company’s safety and maintenance standards.

“I’m very excited to become a member of the Teamsters. Organized labor has a long and rich history in this community, and folks around here know how important it is to be a union member.” -Art Long

Art Long has been driving buses for over a decade, with a little over a year of service at Durham School Services in Metropolis.

“I’m very excited to become a member of the Teamsters,” Long said. “Organized labor has a long and rich history in this community, and folks around here know how important it is to be a union member.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout 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.