Author: Local 8751

Team Solidarity- the Voice of United School Bus Union Workers

1 week ago

USW Local Executive Board Elections 2021
Vote the “Team Solidarity” Executive Board
Now more than ever, we need tested, experienced leaders that will fight the Company and City union-busters to defend our jobs, wages, benefits, health & safety, and union rights!
We stand on our record!
We believe in a “Team” approach to union leadership, joining together our collective skills, experiences, talents, passions, broad solidarity contacts, communications, advocacy and professional-level organizational know-how to bring progress and dedicated representation to the membership while continually strengthening the Local. Our team includes leaders with experience dating back to the founding of the Local, 4 past presidents, as well as newer, dedicated fighters for the rank & file, steeled in battles against Transdev and the City.
Contract 2021 – Keep up the fight for Health & Safety,
best possible wages and benefits with NO CONCESSIONS!
Local 8751 has a proud, militant history of fighting for our rights, never more so than during the past year’s COVID-19 pandemic crisis. It was Team Solidarity leadership that forced Transdev, BPS and Mayor Walsh to recognize the Union’s Emergency COVID-19 Safety Operating Procedures (ESOP). And it was Team Solidarity that negotiated the 4 MOA’s with Mayor Walsh that have provided pay, full benefits, paid COVID-19 leave, testing & vaccinations, etc. As Transdev and BPS are now attacking these agreements and Union Safety Standards with full anti-union force, Team Solidarity’s experience going forward is needed now more than ever.
It is critical for our newer members to understand that the exemplary wages, benefits and unparalleled union rights that we are now defending are the result of hard-fought battles throughout the years, including 11 strikes. Our current progress at the negotiating table is a direct result of the strength of our rank & file and our fight-back history. Team Solidarity has reflected our struggles in the bus yards, at the negotiating table, in the communities, and in the streets including at major Black Lives Matter marches, Solidarity rallies and Labor/Community campaigns against union-busting companies and their servants in the Boston School Department, the City and on Wall Street.
We now face our most serious challenges. Transdev is by far the worst. Since day one they have sought to tear up our contract and take away over 40 years of contract progress. Add to this a School Department and City who are hell-bent on cutbacks, causing irreparable harm to our jobs, hours and wages, as well as jeopardizing safe, on time transportation for the students. The upcoming contract negotiations as well as the continuing battle during this unprecedented COVID pandemic are great. We pledge to continue to bring your strength and voice to the table.
However, there is still much work to be done, more money in wages and benefits can be won including expanded Retirement Rights and NO concessions!
Fight every grievance until victory!
Every day the company violates our rights, imposes unilateral anti-union policies and cuts our routes and pay. There is now a massive backlog of grievances regarding the company’s violations, including Health & Safety, Flat Rates, payroll, unjust discipline, bidding, etc. The Francois/Kirschbaum Team have not only filed the grievances but have been processing all cases through to arbitration. We promise to fight every grievance to the finish. Your union has the duty to use the Local resources to defend you!
Unite with the Community / Labor movement to defend our jobs and quality education!
Team Solidarity has built a broad solidarity network within the Labor movement and with the communities we serve, including the Black Educators Alliance of MA, Coalition for Equal Quality Education (which we helped to form), teachers, students, political activists and leaders, City Councilors, clergy, MA AFL-CIO and others to fight on common struggles. This increases the political influence and clout of the Local. This solidarity in action was splendidly demonstrated at our March 9, 2021, “Union Power Picket” as labor and community activists joined us. Jessica Tang, President of the 8,000-member Boston Teachers Union and Education Advisor to Mayor Kim Janey as well as Darlene Lombos, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council, our International Rep John Buonopane and many other labor and community leaders spoke pledging 100% solidarity with our struggles.
An informed membership is a strong membership
Even during these pandemic times, we have worked to keep you, the membership, informed. Regular Text communications, Zoom membership meetings and informational “webinars” have supplemented hard-copy bulletins. The leadership has been in Zoom meetings as well as operational meetings with Transdev and BPS on a near-daily basis, fighting for your rights. We pledge to continue to provide coordination, education and training for your union representatives. Our leadership has greatly expanded our use of state-of-the-art technology and social media, including a comprehensive Local Web site and presence on social media. A final word on negative campaigning, mudslinging, rumors, character assassination, unfounded accusations, etc. Our members deserve better. We will NOT participate in negative campaigning.
Throughout the years Local 8751’s rank & file have fought heroically. You have picketed, marched in countless demonstrations and Solidarity Days, rallied, and you have struggled every day in the bus yards. Now is the time for our Executive Board Elections. The Francois / Kirschbaum Team Solidarity leaders and activists, tested in the struggle, respectfully ask for your Vote by mail or in-person on April 29th. We believe that you, the rank & file, deserve a leadership that reflects Local 8751’s fighting legacy.
Send a clear message to Transdev, to Boston Public Schools and to City Hall that the rank & file are prepared to fight for our rights, and we are prepared to win! ... See MoreSee Less

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