(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, December 14, 2011)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Megabus drivers in Illinois recently joined Teamsters Local 777 through card- check recognition. More than 85 percent of the 136 drivers signed cards to join the Teamsters.
“I’m happy we can have a voice with the company now and representation,” said Henry Harris, a Megabus driver in the Chicago area.
“We need better wages and benefits,” said Isaac Jones, a four-year Megabus driver, also in Chicago. “I was a union member before at another job, and I’m happy to be a union member again.”
The drivers voted last year in an election to join the Teamsters, but lost by only five votes, after the labor board added another bus company as part of the unit. The drivers had to wait a year before they could organize again and they were determined to gain Teamster representation.
“The Megabus drivers got the campaign going again and the company saw that everyone wanted a union, so they said, ‘Let’s do card check,’” said Jim Glimco, President of Teamsters Local 777 in Lyons. “These workers do a great job and we’re happy to represent them.”
“Our congratulations go out to the hardworking Megabus drivers who will have an opportunity to improve their working conditions through negotiating a strong Teamster contract,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25.
Megabus is a bus service operating in the United States and Canada that is owned by Stagecoach Group, a United Kingdom-based company. Megabus operates on a low-cost model of express bus service between major U.S. cities.