DERRY BUS DRIVERS VOTE OVERWHELMINGLY TO JOIN TEAMSTERS LOCAL 633

November 16, 2007

Despite driving rain and winds in excess of fifty (50) miles per hour, the men and women of First Student Bus Inc. of Derry New Hampshire voted by a margin of almost five to one (5-1) to join Teamsters Local 633.

Principal Officer David W. Laughton stated, “These men and women showed the true spirit of unity and solidarity that is necessary to turn out such a great vote. We welcome the latest addition to Local 633 and look forward to negotiating their first contract.”

Organizer Roger Travers said, “With the merger of Laidlaw and First Student, these employees quickly realized that without a strong Teamster contract to protect their rights and give them the respect they deserve, things were really a crap shoot and nothing was guaranteed. I really attribute this victory to the hard work and dedication of the organizing committee. Without them, this was absolutely not possible.”

The sixty-five (65) employees serve multiple school districts in New Hampshire. The employees rallied around the Teamsters Joint Council 10 tractor-trailer, which was on hand to provide support. Principal Officer David Laughton said, “The merger of Laidlaw and First Student has caused quite a stir in the student transportation industry. In this time of corporate greed and skyrocketing CEO salaries, the Teamsters have made it their business to protect the unprotected and level the playing field in favor of these employees who carry our most precious resource, our children, who are the future.”

A request to begin negotiations has been issued, and contract proposals are currently being scheduled.