First Student UTU 1741 SF School Bus Drivers Protest Union Busting

First Student, the largest school bus company in the world based in Aberdeen, Scotland has taken over Laidlaw Bus company in the US and Canada and is engaged in a massive union busting drive against organized school bus workers. It is ignoring union contracts and illegally firing drivers and then ignoring mediation decisions. San Francisco school bus drivers who are members of UTU 1741 marched and protested on December 4, 2008 at the company yard against these illegal tactics. They are calling for support from all First Student Workers and the rest of the labor movement.
http://sfschoolbus.com/
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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• firststudent
• union
• busting
• utu
• transportation
• workers
• illegal
• firings
• anti-labor
• tactics
• picket
• labor
• solidarity
• sf
• utu1741
• bus
• drivers
• health
• and
• safety
• san
• francisco
• aberdeen
• scotland

[laborvideo]

Update:

The company backed down on the first two terminations and reinstated Robert Newcomer and Katonyah Bell with full back pay... Katonyah is back at work but Robert, on the advice of his doctor, immediately resigned)...

This victory was only possible as a result of their union taking the fight forward against this union busting company.

[chizimon]

solidarity! Greetings from a Teamster's Local 214 member (and bus driver) in Ann Arbor, MI! Drivers Unite!

[KLsemperFi7]

i dont get how a pvt company is profiting on our public transport system, even being a foreign one at that. i think the gov't should keep the school bus business, pvt companies for this is just not right. wtf are Scotts duing with our buses, driving our kids, and makin money off our tax dollars half way across the world? what the hell!!!!!!

[MrTazz348]

np

[MrTazz348]

wow i work 4 first student n n

[RMSENTERTAINMENT]

where i go to school, first student..a crap company.. took over star shuttle.. another crap company... there service is now even worse than ever. my bus on a half day comes at 12:17 (or is supposed to) the bus actually comes at 2:50...WTF get here on time!!!!

my drivers not very safe either...

[glk001]

I worked for First Student from 2001 to 2005, I'd never drive a school bus again because of my experiences as a driver...Nothing that travels on the Connecticut Roads, can't I drive...Semi's-Class 1, motorcycle, auto and then public service license...Bus drivers are so under paid for the responcibilties they have, it's a shame...Remember, ya get what ya pay for folks...Shit pay gets ya shit service.., As a company, time to send FS back to the UK...

[MsTootsweet]

while i was watching this video, i shut my eyes, and it was all to familiar, we are a branch of first student in canada and also have a union, but the company totally ignores are rights, and does what they want when they want, its pathetic how any company can treat employees in such a manner, but FIRST STUDENT takes the cake. I say stay strong what you guys did is awesome, i only hope our drivers wil find the same strength to do the same

[11ASCT]

I'm from Aberdeen and trust me First are total fools

prepare 4 long waits,price hikes + stupid/rude drivers

[philsgirl511]

GOD HELP THIS COMPANY!!!

[cedarpoint71]

I was a very good bus driver....I had a very good driving record..It was mentioned in this video that the company wants us to be "PROFESIONAL".....When I was doing my job I was "PROFESIONAL"...When I wasn't at FS...What I did on my own time was MY BUSINES..Weather it would be posting an ad, Going to a bar and drinking, going to a party...the company had NO BUSINES TO FIRE ME...I VIOLATED NOTHING..There was NOTHING in the handbook that said I couldn't post a personal ad, Having fun / drinking.

[cedarpoint71]

They are spending tons of money for these new safety things like ZONAR..They spend lots of money to UPGRADE those child check mate systems last year..the factory ones were just fine in my book...They wont stand by a driver and support them....They are inconsistant with there consistancy...They are always changing the rules..FS is making Laidlaw look like angels..and Laidlaw had issues but nothing like this...

[cedarpoint71]

If you going to fire me..Fire me for leaving a child on the bus, Fire me for having to many accidents, Fire me for touching a student, Fire me for taking a bus and go joy riding in the middle of the nite without asking for permision, Fire me for violating a company protocal or something..but dont fire me for a personal ad that had nothing to do with my job / the company..I worked out of the Latrobe, PA branch..Even my union couldn't save my job..the company isn't going to last..