April 19, 2017

Agreement Ratified by 100 Percent of Participating Drivers, School Bus Monitors

(DALLAS, Texas) – Members of Teamsters Local 745 unanimously ratified a first contract with First Student Transportation in Lewisville, TX on March 31, 2017. Local 745 organized the 381 school bus monitors and drivers that service The Colony and Lewisville Independent School Districts (TX) in 2016.

The contract includes some significant improvements, including wage increases ranging from 17-19 percent over the course of four years, guaranteed pay for all time served, an increase in the eligibility for overtime, and coverage of the membership under Teamsters Local 745’s grievance procedure process.

Rod Cuevas, a Trustee, Assistant Business Representative, & Organizer with Teamsters Local 745, worked closely with the negotiating committee throughout the process. He noted that constant communication with the members was key to the success of securing the improvements in the contract.

“We got some pushback on the grievance procedure; the company preferred arbitration, but we didn’t budge,” Cuevas said. “The workers wouldn’t have gotten so many improvements if they hadn’t held out as long as they did. The whole process has had a positive impact on the bargaining unit: our membership is more engaged, and the wage increases are definitely going to help with reducing turnover at the yards.”

Secretary-Treasurer and Principal Officer Brent Taylor stressed that the ratification vote was just the beginning of what the Teamsters are looking to accomplish with passenger transportation workers throughout the region.

“This is the first time we’ve successfully ratified a contract with First Student in all of Texas, and I can’t stress enough how proud I am of that,” said Taylor. “What was done here is a model we can use for other Teamster locals throughout Texas and Oklahoma. There’s a really good opportunity here to expand on what we’ve done.”