Local 243 Wins $28,000 “Snow Day” Pay For Members At Durham, Northville

Local 243 Vice President Scott Quenneville (left) and Recording Secretary Phil Turner (right) with some of the Drivers and Monitors from Durham, Northville who collectively received more than $28,000 in snow day pay through the Union's grievance procedure.

Drivers and Monitors at Durham School Services, Northville received an early Christmas gift once the Union won its “snow day” pay grievance resulting in the Company paying more than $28,000 in backpay to the membership.

Durham Northville members were off work a total of seven days due to inclement weather during the 2018-2019 school year.  Even though the Company was paid by the Northville School District for the seven missed snow days, they refused to pay employees for their lost days as required by the Union’s contract.  

In response, on July 2, 2019 Local 243 filed a class action grievance on behalf of all Drivers and Monitors for the snow day pay.  On November 29, 2019 Durham finally agreed to follow the contract and pay employees a total settlement of $28,187.67 for the lost snow days.  Each member received their share of this total based upon their hourly rate and the number of hours missed during those seven snow days.

“Payment for snow days has been, and remains, a major issue for our Durham members,” Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Neil Pettit said.  “The Company violated the contract by refusing to pay members for the snow days.  This grievance victory demonstrates, very clearly, that Local 243 Local 243 will use every resource available, including the power of our grievance and arbitration process to enforce our contracts, protect members’ workplace rights and make sure that rank-and-file members receive every negotiated benefit to which they are entitled.”

Trinity Transportation, Detroit Workers Vote YES To Join Local 243

Victory For Workplace STRENGTH and RESPECT

Drivers, aides and mechanics at Trinity Transportation Detroit's East and West terminals took a major step forward in their fight to improve wages, job security and respect when they voted YES to join Teamsters Local 243.  

When the ballots were counted on Friday, October 20th, the workers at Trinity's Greenfield and Mack terminals in Detroit made their voice heard loud and clear, voting by a margin of 170-to-18 (90% support) to join ranks with Teamsters Local 243 to gain a stronger voice in improving their working conditions.

“Teamsters Local 243 congratulates all of the Trinity Transportation workers who made the right decision and voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining the Teamsters Union,” said Local 243 President Jim "Cinci" Cianciolo.  “Moving forward, we look forward to contract negotiations, where these workers will gain the wages and respect they deserve guaranteed in writing.”

Trinity Transportation is a subsidiary of National Express (NEX), one of the largest student transportation providers in the world. The Trinity Transportation drivers, aides/monitors and mechanics are part of a growing trend of Michigan school bus workers who are affiliating with the Teamsters.  Last year, over 200 workers at another NEX subsidiary, Durham School Services in Ann Arbor, voted to join Local 243.

Local 243 Secretary-Treasurer Neil Pettit said this was a dynamic team effort between Local 243 and the International Union.  The IBT dispatched a team of skilled organizers to Detroit to assist with ground activities leading up to the victory and with membership turnout on the day of the Union vote.

"We want to thank the International Union for the solid backing and guidance they gave as part of an ongoing effort to 'Drive Up Standards' for school bus employees here in Michigan and across the country," Pettit said.  "Thanks also to Joint Council #43 Organizer Marian Novak for providing expert guidance over the many weeks of this campaign.  This was a dynamic team effort and proves, once again, that when Teamsters are united for a common objective, nothing will stop us from securing ultimate victory."

Anthony Clingman works at Trinity Transportation and he’s been a professional driver for over 40 years. Clingman was a Teamster member in a previous job, and that experience motivated him to serve on the organizing committee during the lead up to this representation election.

“I learned a lot from being a Teamster – how to take care of myself, to not just accept things as they are,” Clingman said. “One thing that I’m looking forward to is having more job security once I’m no longer an employee at-will.  When we have that, everything else will fall into place.”

Secretary-Treasurer Pettit said the Union will schedule a  contract proposals meeting soon to gather information and hear what's on the minds of the workers.  Barganing dates will then be scheduld to begin negotiations on their first Teamster contract.

Local 243 members are reminded that if you know a non-union worker who could benefit from the strength and security of a Union contract, call Local 243 today.  Members who provide a lead that results in a successful campaign will receive $500.00 for helping expand our Union's membership.

Teamsters Local 243 Supports the Butch Lewis Act of 2017

Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown outlines the important facts about how the Butch Lewis Act will restore financial stability to the broken U.S. pension system.

SAVE OUR PENSIONS!

Contact your legislators TODAY

Hey Congress: Pass the “Butch Lewis Act”!

Local 243 Joins Columbus, Ohio Rally To “Save Our Pensions”

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