Teamsters Local 838 Welcomes First Student Missouri Workers

Teamsters Expand Influence with New Union Membership in Missouri

The landscape of school transportation in Missouri is undergoing a significant transformation as over 100 bus drivers and monitors at First Student have opted to join Teamsters Local 838. This decision marks a pivotal shift, providing these workers with enhanced representation and a stronger collective voice.

Operating within the Hickman Mills School District, the new union members will now benefit from the Teamsters First Student National Master Agreement, recognized as the largest collective bargaining agreement within the private school bus sector. "These First Student workers stood together and made it clear they deserve fairness, respect, and a contract that protects their future," stated Landon Johnson, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 838. "By joining the Teamsters, they’ve taken an important step toward raising standards for themselves and the students and families who rely on them every day. Local 838 is proud to welcome them."

The decision to unionize was driven by a collective desire to address pressing concerns around wages, benefits, and job security, all of which are safeguarded under the national agreement. The sentiment of unity and shared purpose was echoed by Craylon Pittman, a newly inducted bus driver in Teamsters Local 838, who remarked, “People say the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and that’s exactly why we did this. Our work affects an entire community of kids and their families. Standing together means we can fight for improvements that help all of us — not just as individuals, but as a team.”

Teamsters Local 838 plays a vital role in representing a diverse array of workers across various industries throughout Missouri, continually advocating for improved labor conditions and worker rights.

Press Contact: Lena Melentijevic Phone: (347) 208-2279 Email: LMelentijevic@teamster.org