Tewksbury School Bus And Van Drivers Vote To Unionize

TEWKSBURY, MA — School bus and van drivers who drive for Tewksbury Public Schools have voted overwhelmingly to unionize and have joined Teamsters Local 25, the prominent Boston-area union announced Tuesday.

The newly-unionized group of 45 drivers works for Student Transportation of America (STA). In a press release, the drivers said they hope that becoming Teamsters will help in future negotiations with STA.

"We are very excited to announce we've joined the Teamsters family as part of Local 25," said Loretta Melanson, one of the drivers who voted to join the union. "As a small group, we felt left behind when it came to wages and benefits. Now as Teamsters, we can leverage their support and strength to get us the improvements in benefits and hourly guarantees we deserve."

According to Local 25, Teamsters Joint Council 10 organizers worked with the group of bus drivers for several months ahead of the recent unionization vote.

The Tewksbury bus drivers join a national movement of STA workers who have voted to organize.

"These drivers play a pivotal role in the school system and deserve fair wages with health benefits, equipment that works safely and respect in the workplace," said Tom Mari, president of Teamsters Local 25. "I look forward to working with them on a first Teamster contract, one that they can be proud of and will help them provide for their families."

Teamsters Local 25 represents 11,000 Boston-area workers who come from a variety of industries, including: airlines, bakery, brewery and soft drink, building materials and construction, conventions, freight, motion pictures and theatrical, solid waste and recycling, tankhaul, trade shows and casinos, and warehouse.