Belvidere School Bus Workers Vote to Join Teamsters

Local 777 Organizes More Than 160 Workers In United Campaign

First Student school bus drivers, aides and crossing guards in Belvidere voted to join Teamsters Local 777. The men and women are seeking improvements to their working conditions.

“We’re looking forward to change for the better now that we’re Teamsters. We need equal, fair pay levels and better safety,” said Tammy Lukac, an eight-year driver with First Student in Belvidere.

The bargaining unit of more than 160 workers is the second group of its size to organize with Local 777 this year. Throughout the organizing drive, the workers stood united, formed their own committee and spread the word about the importance of voting.

“These workers are dedicated professionals who transport our children, and we are honored to welcome them as the newest school bus Teamster members,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25.

“They came together to improve their lives and protect what they have,” said Elizabeth Gonzalez, Local 777 business agent. “This group consists of a lot of women with children, a lot of families, and they stepped up and really stood together. They’re really proud; we’re all proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

The victory is the latest in an effort to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. Since 2006, the Teamsters’ Drive Up Standards campaign has organized more than 28,000 drivers, monitors, aides, mechanics and attendants in the private school bus and transit industry.

Teamsters Local 777 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, which represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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