Tuscaloosa, AL – Over the last month, students and bus drivers have been working together in order to win a living wage for the Crimson Ride shuttle drivers at the University of Alabama. The bus drivers are not state employees, but are contracted by FirstGroup PLC, a multinational corporation notorious for unfair labor practices.

Since unionizing last May, the drivers have tried to negotiate with FirstGroup but have met with little response. However, because students and bus drivers began work on publicizing this struggle, negotiations will be taking place on Feb. 18. Students for a Democratic Society in Tuscaloosa and the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ), a national network of union, community and student organizations are urging all supporters of this campaign to call University of Alabama president Dr. Witt to tell him that they support the drivers and demand that he put pressure on FirstGroup.

Members of Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Alabama have been riding the buses, announcing the drivers' struggle for better wages and collecting signatures from supporters. “Students don't realize their bus drivers are making only $9.50 an hour, and when we tell them, they are upset; they are appalled,” said Chapin Gray of Students for a Democratic Society. “Students not only rely on these buses to get to class on time, but have formed relationships with the drivers who greet them every morning as they arrive on campus. They are overwhelmingly supportive of the drivers.”

The Facebook group has over 200 members, while both paper and online petitions being circulated have collected hundreds of signatures from supporters both on the University of Alabama (UA) campus and across the country. Lately, Amalgamated Transit Union Vice-president Kenneth Kirk, a former Crimson Ride driver, some students and a few others went to speak to Dr. Witt, but were denied.

The drivers are also teaming up with the Network to Fight for Economic Justice to organize a national call-in day on Feb. 17 to tell President Witt to put pressure on FirstGroup.

One of the drivers, who wished to remain anonymous, answered student questions over the PA system aboard the bus, telling students that he has had to take double-shifts to make ends meet and that of all of the driving jobs he has held, this one had the least benefits and lowest pay. “We are professional drivers. We deserve a professional wage,” he announced. He expressed confidence that the drivers would be victorious in their struggle with the added pressure on Dr. Witt from the call-in day.

According to the call put out by the NFEJ, “The South is not a friendly place for workers – ‘right to work’ laws make forming a union a nearly impossible task. Wages are lower and poverty is higher in the South due to racism against African-Americans and the lack of unions. Despite these obstacles, the Crimson Ride drivers are demanding the wages and benefits they deserve.”

“Call Dr. Witt, President of the University of Alabama at 205-348-5103 and tell him ‘Stop stalling! We want a contract! Justice for the bus drivers now!’”

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