Alabama Bus Drivers Win Union Contract!

*Statement from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ)*

Union bus drivers at the University of Alabama are celebrating today! They voted to accept their first union contract late last night, March 8, 2010. All the members and supporters of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice are rejoicing with them!

Organizing a union and winning a first contract are difficult enough. To organize in the South where racism and intimidation are strong factors, is spectacular! The union workers and leaders of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1208 are to be congratulated for their grit and determination. They stood up and sent a message across the country, “We’re NOT going to take it anymore!”

Most of the bus drivers are African-American, and many are women. The key to victory was uniting the workers and having solid allies in the fight – especially the University of Alabama Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). SDS organized the campus support that shifted the balance in favor of the union. The students stayed up past midnight making poster board signs and showed up at the bus depot by 4:30 AM to walk the strike picket. While the bus drivers held the picket lines, SDS rallied students to actively support the strikers in ending their poverty wages. Public opinion overwhelmingly supported the bus drivers. It was powerful!

SDS also brought in the Network to Fight for Economic Justice to organize national call-in days targeting UA President Witt. The first call in day demanded Witt make a statement in support of the hard working bus drivers. The second one, during the one-day strike, demanded President Witt stop university “scab vans”. Union leaders and activists, welfare rights organizers, community organizers, and students called from at least thirty cities and towns – including Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, LA, Tucson, Boston, Birmingham, Asheville, Gainesville, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee, Olympia, Chapel Hill, and New York City. Mario Harmon, the ATU Local 1208 Secretary Treasurer, could not be more thankful for the solidarity shown.

The gains made by establishing the union contract are important and will benefit every worker. The First Transit management, part of British corporation FirstGroup, will no longer be able to fire workers at a whim. The union provides fairness to everyone. The wage increases negotiated at the table will raise most drivers out of poverty. The drivers won one more personal day, for a total of three. When a bus is unsafe, management will have to listen to the driver.

The rank and file bus drivers will have to prepare for the next contract struggle down the road. The union will need to make gains around affordable health care, sick days, and wage increases to match other union bus drivers. Today however, the victory is won! The workers now have a contract to build upon and they are setting an example to other workers to stand up and take back what belongs to them!

#TuscaloosaAL #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Mario Harmon, ATU Local 1208 Financial Secretary, said that the drivers would vote on the contract the evening of March 8. “It’s a good first contract and it improves our situation a great deal. There are some things we want to work toward in future contracts, but this is a good contract,” he said. He mentioned that their main priorities were to improve the drivers’ wages as well as provide them with a just cause clause to give them more job security.

Leading up to the strike, Students for a Democratic Society in Tuscaloosa and the Network to Fight for Economic Justice have supported the drivers. There was a successful call-in day to university president Dr. Witt on Feb. 17 demanding that the school put pressure on First Transit to provide the drivers with a fair contract. Since then they have continued to call in, and students have offered on-the-ground support through flyering on campus, holding a rally and joining the drivers on their early morning picket line.

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Selma, AL – Thousands gathered here, Sunday, March 7, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the 1965 Bloody Sunday civil rights march – during which women and children crossed over the Edmund Pettus bridge and were brutally attacked by police.

Jesse Jackson was among this year’s speakers. He pointed out to the crowd that while the banks got a bailout, it is Alabama that needs a bailout.

Leaflets supporting the struggle of Tuscaloosa’s Crimson Ride drivers were warmly received by the participants.

#SelmaAL #AfricanAmerican #BloodySunday #CrimsonRide

Solidarity with Tuscaloosa Campus Bus Drivers!

Justice for Southern Workers!

The women and men who drive the buses at the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa need your support and solidarity. They are sick and tired of getting paid $9.50 an hour for hard work. They are fighting hard for a decent first contract that would offer protection from arbitrary firings. And as things stand today, the vast majority of them aren’t working – most of the buses are not running and the drivers do not have a dime of income coming in.

The Crimson Ride Shuttle Drivers are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208. Many of the drivers are African Americans and many are women. Their struggle for justice has attracted national support from students and trade unionists. On March 1 they went on strike. Later that day, negotiations resumed and the drivers announced they would return to work the next day. On March 2 the university announced that it was only going to operate a few of the bus routes and only a few of the bus drivers would be going to work.

But the Crimson Ride Shuttle Drivers are determined to win better lives for themselves and their families. And they are not walking alone in their efforts. At the University of Alabama, students organized by the local chapter of Students for a Democratic Society have shown they understand the stand the true meaning of solidarity. They have organized rallies, circulated petitions, and walked the picket lines during the strike. They put pressure on the university to stop supporting the union busters at First Transit. In addition the Network to fight for Economic Justice has been building support for the drivers across the country.

This is an important battle, for the Tuscaloosa bus drivers, their families, and for working people across the U.S. Big corporations like First Transit want to drive down our standard of living. They like the fact that that pay is lower, and working conditions are worse in the South. A victory in Tuscaloosa will be a victory for everyone who wants justice.

Call First Transit today at (205) 345-0941

Demand First Transit give Drivers a decent contract

Network to Fight for Economic Justice

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Tuscaloosa , AL – On March 1, the University of Alabama Crimson Ride shuttle bus drivers began a strike in order to gain a living wage, benefits, job security and respect on the job. At 5:00 a.m., the drivers formed their picket line in front of the local First Transit headquarters and Crimson Ride bus yard. Students quickly mobilized to support the drivers, making signs and a massive banner reading, “Students support the strike!” They held signs reading, “Walk or bike, respect the strike!” and “Safety and dignity for drivers now!” Chanting, “What do we want? Contract! When do we want it? Right now!” the drivers and their supporters stood as the sun rose and waited for any possible strikebreakers.

The surprise strike came in response to a failed attempt at contract negotiations with First Transit, the corporation that the University of Alabama contracts with to provide the campus bus service. After months of attempting to negotiate a contract, First Transit came to the table due to increased pressure generated by the national support for the drivers. On Feb. 18, the negotiations ended with an insulting offer of a 17-cent raise for the drivers, with no mention of benefits or the ‘client prevails’ clause that allows drivers to be fired at any time.

Though the bus drivers were able to convince most of their coworkers to not cross the picket line, a few crossed it. Only a few buses made it to campus to drive their routes. Signs were posted at bus stops telling riders to expect delays and that certain routes would not be running. The strike was successful, as the usually busy roads around campus were empty. However, a couple of hours later, Dr. Witt, the University of Alabama President who previously refused to make a statement about the drivers’ situation, made it clear that he was on the side of First Transit. Calling on university employees to drive 15-passenger vans under threat of job termination, he compensated for the inactive buses by bringing in ‘scab vans.’

Back on campus, the students responded to Witt’s actions by splitting up into teams and distributing informational fliers about the strike. They encouraged other students not to ride the scab buses and vans; some students briefly boarded the buses and vans, asking the drivers who had crossed the picket line to support the strike, and passing out information to the passengers on board. Meanwhile, supporters organized by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) called in from across the country, demanding Dr. Witt support the strike and the workers.

Several hours into the strike, union members received word that First Transit wanted to return to negotiations. Though they will return to work, their struggle is not over yet; their demands, including safer buses and a living wage, must be met or the strike may continue.

“I'm hoping they didn't just bring us back to the table for no reason,” said Tia Brown, union steward for the Crimson Ride drivers. “I pray that they brought us back to the table for something worthwhile that the members consider to be fair. Whether the negotiations go good or bad, the ultimate decision is in the members’ hands.”

Students are hopeful, but preparing for more struggle. “The strike was successful because so many people were willing to put themselves out there and take a stand for fair labor practices and dignity for the workers,” said Pia Garber, a member of the University of Alabama Students for a Democratic Society. “And the really amazing thing is that we’re all ready to continue the fight at a moment’s notice if we have to. We’re not going to stop until a fair contract is accepted by the union, and even then, we’ll always have an eye on First Transit.”

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #AfricanAmerican #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Alabama Bus Drivers On Strike! Justice for Southern Workers!

Stop President Witt From Breaking Bus Drivers' Strike!

March 1, 2010 – Alabama bus drivers are now on strike! At 4:30 this morning, union bus drivers, joined by students with home made picket signs, gathered at the company depot to begin picketing. Bus drivers talked other fellow union members into joining them on the picket line and the buses are idle. Alabama Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) leaders report the university posted signs saying, “No bus service today.” Mario Harman, a local officer with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1208, said the strike was effective so far and spirits are high!

However, Dr. Witt, University of Alabama President is forcing university workers to run 15-passenger vans around campus and threatening to fire them if they don't break the strike.

Last week Dr. Witt told Chapin Gray, a member of Alabama SDS and a steering committee member of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, “You are calling the wrong person, the university was not involved at all in the dispute between First Transit and the bus drivers' union, ATU 1208.” Chapin asked Dr. Witt to make a statement of support for the union bus drivers and he refused. Now we see whose side he is on!

Call Dr. Witt TODAY at 205-348-5103

Tell Dr. Witt, “Stop Scabbing! Support the union bus drivers!”

1. Honor the strike
2. Make a public statement supporting the ATU 1208 bus drivers
3. Tell First Transit to settle with the union!

The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) can be reached at www.wesayfightback.com

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #strike #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Tuscaloosa, AL – Alabama bus drivers are on strike. At the University of Alabama, bus drivers, students and supporters picketed First Transit headquarters the morning of March 1. The Crimson Ride Shuttle Drivers, part of ATU Local 1208, decided to strike after First Transit offered the workers crumbs from the table. At last week’s negotiation, First Transit refused to offer a living wage, job security and decent health care benefits. The Alabama bus drivers, who make $9.50 an hour, decided they had had enough.

One of the Alabama bus drivers, Felicia Graves, said, “I am demanding that we be fairly treated. I've driven the bus for some of ‘my babies’ – I call them ‘my babies’ since I’ve known them from when they were in the fourth grade. The company refuses to do any maintenance on these buses and not only are they putting my safety on the line but also they're putting the students safety on the line. I'm going on strike until they give us respect. I'm already not making money. I have nothing to lose.”

Another Crimson Ride driver, Singrid Sanders, said, “What I don't understand is that if you go down to the Alabama Department of Transportation to get a driver's license you have to pay $20. I have to pay $65 for my license. That's because you can't do what I do. We really love working and doing what we do, but they aren't taking us seriously. I'm going on strike until they recognize us for the hard work that we do.”

Students are also involved, and Students for a Democratic Society organized a rally on campus in support of the strike. Dozens of students and supporters met on the quad to show support for the bus drivers. “We are going to join the strikers and rally and picket to show our support. We can walk or bike to show our respect for the strike. We want a living wage and fair contract now!” said Laura Langley, one of the organizers of the rally.

University of Alabama Students for a Democratic Society are asking supporters across the country to help support the strike. Please call Dr. Witt, the President of the University of Alabama, who is threatening to send University employees to drive the buses and scab. Call President Witt at 205-348-5103

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #strike #CrimsonRide

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!’”

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #NetworkToFightForEconomicJustice #CrimsonRide

Tuscaloosa, AL – Bus drivers, with the support of students at the University of Alabama (UA), are organizing a union campaign to win a living wage. The bus drivers shuttle students, football fans and others around the UA campus. Student activists are riding the buses to sign up student supporters for the bus drivers. The 62 Crimson Ride Shuttle Bus drivers work for FirstGroup PLC, a huge British multinational corporation. The union drivers and students are exposing the British company’s big ripoff of Alabama workers and taxpayers.

The bus drivers, most of whom are African American women, make only $9.50 per hour. This salary puts the drivers and their families below the poverty line. In May of 2009, the Crimson Ride Shuttle Bus Drivers at the University of Alabama unanimously voted to join the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1208, but still do not have a contract. Without a contract there are few benefits. The drivers have no job security. There are no guidelines regulating termination. The drivers are paid nothing during university holidays. Many work two jobs to make ends meet.

The University pays FirstGroup PLC $55 per work hour – a huge profit of over $1 million a year. The drivers are demanding a living wage of $14 per hour – a fair wage comparable to other state university bus drivers. $14 per hour will raise them out of poverty. FirstGroup PLC has not yet agreed to a negotiating meeting with ATU Local 1208. If a contract has not been negotiated by May, the union will vote to take further action.

Members of UA’s Students for a Democratic Society chapter are working hard to promote student support for the bus drivers. Tia Brown, a Crimson Ride driver and union steward said, “Students have the power to put a lot pressure on the university to do something.” SDS has been flyering around their campus, as well as making announcements on the Crimson Ride buses, to inform other students about the driver’s union and their demands.

A member of SDS, Jenae Stainer, said, “African American workers continue to struggle for equality, especially here in the South where we have not yet overcome the history of racism. Though people may have moved from the back of the buses to the drivers’ seats, they still don't have the justice they deserve.”

UA students have shown a lot of solidarity with the hard working drivers, many agreeing to sign a petition in support of the drivers’ demands. SDS plans to have 1000 student signatures by Feb. 11. On that day, there will be a national call-in day for union proponents to demand that the president of the University of Alabama tell FirstGroup PLC to pay the drivers a living wage. The number to call on Feb. 11 is 205-348-5103.

#TuscaloosaAL #StudentMovement #StudentsForADemocraticSociety #SDS #CrimsonRide #FirstGroupPLC #AmalgamatedTransitUnionLocal1208