Unifor school bus drivers reach tentative agreement with First Student

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2022 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 4268 has reached a tentative agreement with First Student on behalf of school bus drivers in the eastern Greater Toronto Area and Durham Region.

"I congratulate the bargaining committee on reaching a tentative agreement for these essential workers who continued to provide service during the pandemic," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.

Unifor First Student bargaining committee members (CNW Group/Unifor)

The tentative collective agreement covers approximately 205 school bus drivers who provide services for DSTS Durham Student Transportation Services, TSTG Toronto Student Transportation Group and other customers in various locations.

"School bus drivers assume huge responsibility each and every time they take the wheel and they deserve compensation and a level of respect to reflect that," said Unifor Local 4268 President Debbie Montgomery. "Unifor continues its work to raise standards, ensuring all dedicated time to the job is paid by employers and additional duties when requested are compensated for accordingly. We believe that addressing industry issues, including uncompensated duties, will help with systemic recruitment and retention problems across the sector."

Details of the tentative agreement will be released upon ratification. A membership vote will take place in the coming days.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor

For media inquiries or to arrange a Skype, Zoom or Facetime interview please contact Unifor Communications Representative Kathleen O'Keefe at [email protected] or 416-896-3303 (cell)