The company intimidated the workers and repeatedly tried to prevent a vote. Management didn't attend bargaining unit hearings and fired two school bus drivers who helped with the organizing campaign. Local 777 responded by filing unfair labor practice charges against the company. Recently, drivers got support from community group Jobs With Justice and Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez.
Latino Express workers get no paid holidays. They can lose wages if the company decides they have to pay for school bus accidents. They joined the Teamsters for better wages, benefits and respect.
Local 777 expects to negotiate the workers’ first contract with new protections and improved working conditions over the next few months. James Glimco, Local 777 president, said,
The men and women of Latino Express take very seriously their responsibility to safely transport Chicago children to and from school, and they deserve the utmost respect for their service. The Teamsters couldn’t be more proud to represent our newest members and continue to drive up standards in this vital industryJoint Council 25 President John Coli added,
At a time when union members are being wrongfully attacked across the country and working men and women are being robbed of their rights, the Teamsters remain committed to protecting our members at all costs. We applaud the drivers of Latino Express for laying claim to their future and taking a stand against such ongoing harassment.
