Teamsters to represent District 300 bus drivers

Hoping to realize savings from dumping a unionized work force, the Community Unit District 300 school board voted almost two years ago not to renew its contract with its bus drivers union.

Now, the cost of district transportation could rise again after drivers voted Jan. 23 to unionize and join the Teamsters, setting the stage for a new contract with the private contractor that employs them, Durham School Services.

Of 260 eligible voters, 149 backed the Teamsters, while 83 voted against joining a union, according to the National Labor Relations Board in Chicago.

The vote means the Teamsters will replace the Illinois Education Association as the authorized bargaining unit for District 300 bus drivers.

The Illinois Education Association was knocked out of the running to represent drivers during the first round of balloting last year.

"The Durham employees persevered," Teamsters Local 330 President Dominic Romanazzi said. "Workers rights were repeatedly violated. Their strategies backfired, as the employees voted overwhelmingly in favor of the union."

In a statement, Durham denied violating the National Labor Relations Act, which allows employers to campaign against unions.

"We respect the vote and the outcome, which represents the majority of our employees' choice to switch unions and become part of the Teamsters," the statement reads.

"At no time were the employees' rights violated as the actions and activities of Durham were done in line with the direction of the National Labor Relations Act."

The Teamsters are scheduled to meet with their new members in District 300 this week before they begin negotiating a contract.

The union will seek better wages and health care benefits, Romanazzi said, during negotiations expected to last at least two to four months.