First Student Bus Drivers Say Yes to Teamsters

With the Help of Joint Council 25 and IBT, Local 179 Gains 450 Members

First Student bus drivers in Crest Hill, Illinois voted to join Teamsters Local 179 231-141. 

The Crest Hill First Student bus drivers will vote on joining Teamsters Local 179 on May 30.

“By joining the Teamsters, the First Student bus drivers have empowered themselves to make their jobs better,” said Tom White, Teamsters Local 179 President.  “This victory is just the beginning.  With the support of the union, we will begin the fight for fair treatment, wages and benefits.”

The 450 drivers at the Crest Hill hub transport students around Joliet and Plainfield.

“I’ve wanted to join the union for a long time, so it is really great to finally be a Teamster,” said Chuck Conley, a First Student bus driver for two years.  “We need better pay and equal treatment here, and the Teamsters will help us get that.”

Joint Council 25 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters assisted Local 179 in the victory.

“This is an important victory not only for the Crest Hill school bus drivers, but also the School Bus United Campaign,” said John T. Coli, Teamsters Joint Council 25 President.  “The campaign is a perfect example of the incredible strength and power of the Teamsters when we work together for working men and women.”

Teamsters Local 179 represents more than 2,500 members in the Joliet region in the construction, commercial service and freight industries and the public sector. 

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