Rank-and-file unionists refuse to be bullied

Representatives of First Student Inc. arrived at the United Steelworkers Local 8751 union hall June 30 in Boston accompanied by the mayor’s own labor relations point person. They were there to present their “final offer,” filled with concession demands, for a new contract with the School Bus Drivers Union.

USW Local 8751 rank-and-file, June 30. WW photo

These negotiators immediately found themselves surrounded by dozens of militant rank-and-file union activists. The drivers were there for the second shift strike captains orientation and training, and they made it very clear just how ready this union is to strike, if necessary.

The militants stayed for the negotiating session. In the end, many of the concessions demanded in the company’s “final” offer were taken off the table, and additional follow-up negotiating sessions were agreed to. The union remains committed to its “No Cuts, No Concessions” position.

The existing labor contract between First Student and Local 8751 expired before midnight on June 30. The union proposed a limited extension: “In the interest of concluding a fair and just Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and allowing ample time and opportunity for serious joint efforts to resolve all remaining areas of dispute. The intent is to allow time to reach an agreement prior to the ‘start up’ of the 2008-2009 school year and spare the tremendous hardship to the students and parents of Boston, as well as the significant costs to the parties, financial and otherwise, associated with a strike. This extension agreement would include a pact for retroactivity to July 1, 2008, for the new CBA, including but not limited to wages, benefits, terms and conditions, as well as other issues of interest to the parties.”

The organic unity of this union with the community was boldly demonstrated over this past weekend when TouchFM 106.1, “Fabric of the Community,” a radio show based in the African-American community, conducted a one-and-a-half-hour interview/call-in show with USW Local 8751 President Frantz Mendes, Negotiating Committee Chair Steve Kirschbaum, Chief Shop Steward Andre Francois, and rank-and-file leader James “Scottie” Pina, who set up the show.

MC Spice opened the show, saying, “Did you know that a British corporation called First Student just got a $343 million no-bid sweetheart vendor contract with the Boston Schools, with an additional $6 million signing bonus? Did you know that they just monopolized the transportation in the U.S., buying out their chief competition Laidlaw and Greyhound? And that they are trying to break the School Bus Drivers Union, making demands for big concessions in labor contract negotiations? The School Bus Drivers are calling for strike. I’m down with that! I’ll change my middle name to ‘strike!’ First Group’s profits are up 39 percent since last year as a result of monopolizing the industry.”

The union is asking for supporters to call Mayor Tom Menino at 617-635-4500; School Superintendent Carol Johnson at 617-635-9050; School Transportation Director Rich Jacobs at 617-635-9520; and First Student Vice-President Bob Timilty at 617-532-2500 to demand that the company negotiate in good faith and stop holding the parents, students and community hostage to corporate greed.