SIXTY-TWO FIRST STUDENT EMPLOYEES IN THREE LOCATIONS VOTE FOR TEAMSTER REPRESENTATION

June 8, 2007

On June 8th sixty-two (62) employees at the Alton, Hampden, and Deer Isle, Maine voted resoundingly to join Teamsters Local 340.

Joint Council 10 Secretary/Treasurer David W Laughton stated, "The momentum of the organizing campaign targeted at First Student nationally continues to expand with no end in sight. These employees are tired of not having a voice in the work place, and they want some stability and the job security that a strong Teamster contract can provide. We welcome these new members to the Teamsters, and Joint Council 10 in cooperation with Local 340 will immediately begin the process of negotiating their contract."

The employees initially approached Joint Council 10 Organizer Roger Travers approximately three (3) months ago, with a laundry list of questions and concerns about the Teamsters. Roger Travers said " These new members were looking for someone to speak on their behalf to the management of First Student regarding equipment safety and to stand up for their rights. It has gone on far too long that these hardworking and dedicated employees have been ignored by their employer, and now the Teamsters will help the people get what they so richly deserve."

President Jim Carson of Local 340 stated that, "Teamsters Local 340 is coordinating a general membership meeting to elect a negotiating committee and to take contract proposals. We here at Local 340 welcome these new members, and applaud the strength of their efforts to stand united in the face of an aggressively anti-union employer."