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Local 210 Joins President Hoffa to Support School Bus Workers on Long Island |
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Sunday, 20 December 2009 21:45 |
Local 210 Secretary-Treasurer George Miranda joined Teamsters General President James Hoffa at an October rally in Farmingdale, LI to show solidarity with the more than 1,700 school bus workers at Baumann Bus in LI looking to unionize. The workers recently filed for an election with the NLRB.
“Every single one of you deserves to be respected in the workplace, and I’m here to tell you that the Teamsters Union is going to be your partner in this fight,” Hoffa said. “We are here to tell the company that it is time recognize the valuable work their workers do.”
Hundreds of Baumann workers and prominent political and community leaders were in attendance, including Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Rep. Steve Israel (D, 2nd CD); Leg. Bill Lindsay (Suffolk County, 8th Dist.); Leg. Kate Browning (Suffolk County, 3rd Dist.); Leg. David Mejias (Nassau County); and John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor. Several drivers, driver assistants and mechanics addressed the crowd at the rally, demanding respect from their employer, Ronald Baumann. Baumann who owns the four transportation companies -- Baumann & Sons, Acme Bus, Alert Coach and Brookset Bus -- where workers are organizing with Teamsters Local 1205.
“I know lots of parents at this company who can’t afford medicine for their sick kids. We shouldn’t have to choose between being healthy and being able to pay the bills,” said Debbie Masching, a 30-year bus driver and mother of two who works at the Copiague yard.
“We’re here today because we need a change. We have an important job carrying people’s children. We are the heart of this company. I am confident that we will get that respect with the Teamsters,” said Pamela Mason, a driver at Baumann’s Bohemia yard.
“I look forward to representing the workers at Baumann Bus,” said Teamsters Local 1205 President Tim Lynch. “Together we are going to win this election and negotiate a strong Teamster contract that addresses your concerns.” |