Ai Bus Service Workers Come Together for Improved Wages, Holidays

Thirty drivers employed by Ai Bus Service in Skokie took a stand for workers’ rights this month by voting to become members of Teamsters Local 777.

The election was the first union campaign for the school bus company, which primarily services Jewish community school districts on Chicago’s Far North Side. The company’s 30 school bus drivers are excited to begin contract negotiations this summer alongside Local 777 representatives. The workers are seeking more dignity and respect at work, as well as improved wages and greater flexibility with holiday and personal time.

“The school bus drivers with Ai Bus Service were united for Teamster Power every step of the way, and we couldn’t be prouder to welcome them into the Local 777 family,” said Elizabeth Gonzalez, Local 777 Trustee and Business Agent. “These drivers take so much pride in the work that they do — a common characteristic among the thousands of school bus workers represented by Local 777. The Teamsters are ready to continue to fight for better wages, benefits and working conditions for our members.”

More than 100 school bus drivers and monitors with Paige Bus Enterprises in Chicago also recently voted to join Local 777. The new Teamsters exclusively service the Chicago Public Schools system.

For nearly a 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.