Justice for Southern workers! Support University of Alabama bus drivers fighting for a living wage!
Call to action from the Network to Fight for Economic Justice
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, bus drivers are in the midst of a struggle for a living wage. Fed up with earning poverty wages, the bus drivers are demanding their first union contract. Nearly a year ago, the Crimson Ride bus drivers voted unanimously to join Amalgamate Transit Union (ATU) Local 1208.
The University of Alabama contracts out to First Transit, a division of the massive British multinational FirstGroup PLC, which runs the Crimson Ride bus service on campus. The university pays the company $55.50 an hour, and in turn, the company pays the drivers a paltry $9.50 an hour - poverty wages. The union drivers are demanding $14 per hour and benefits comparable to university bus drivers in other states.
First Transit employs more than 60 drivers. Most are African-American and many are women. They face intimidation and harassment on the job from the boss. They receive none of the benefits that employees of the University of Alabama get. There is no pay on university holidays or during school breaks. Most cannot afford the expensive health care coverage that First Transit offers. Many work two jobs to make ends meet.
The South is not a friendly place for workers - ‘right to work’ laws make forming a union a nearly impossible task. Wages are lower and poverty is higher in the South due to racism against African-Americans and the lack of unions. Despite these obstacles, the Crimson Ride drivers are demanding the wages and benefits they deserve. The union drivers are launching a campaign to ask University of Alabama President Dr. Robert Witt to tell First Transit to meet the demands of the union. Supporting the union drivers, the Tuscaloosa chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) is boarding buses to gather petition signatures.
During the 1950s and ‘60s in Alabama, courageous men, women and children fought for justice and civil rights. Rosa Parks refused to budge from her seat at the front of the bus. Today, the Crimson Ride bus drivers are standing up and fighting back for equal treatment, fair pay, and workers’ rights.
“First Transit, Stop Stalling!”
The Network to Fight for Economic Justice (NFEJ) is calling on trade unionists, housing activists, civil and equal rights groups, community organizations and students from across the country to stand in solidarity with the Crimson Ride drivers. Statements of solidarity can be sent to Union Steward Tia Brown at tb3341@yahoo.com.
The NFEJ is organizing a National Call In Day on February 17th:
Call Dr. Witt, President of the University of Alabama at 205-348-5103 and tell him “Stop stalling! We want a contract! Justice for the bus drivers now!”
National Call-in Day in Support of the Crimson Ride Drivers: Wednesday February 17, 2010
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you for taking the time to call Dr. Witt and helping to support the Crimson Ride Drivers in their struggle for fair wages.
Call Dr. Witt any time on the call-in day and ask him to put pressure on First Transit to negotiate fair wages with the operators of the Crimson Ride buses! Dr. Witt: (205) 348-5103
Remember to be prepared for a receptionist or an answering service to pick up. A sample script of what you could say or leave as a message is:
Hi. My name is ________________. (Optional: identify yourself as a student, staff, faculty, community or national supporter of Crimson Ride Drivers ATU Local 1208). I would like to speak to Dr. Witt about the upcoming negotiations between First Transit and Crimson Ride Drivers ATU Local 1208.
(If receptionist will not connect you, ask to leave a message.)
Dr. Witt: tomorrow, Feb. 18, First Transit and Crimson Ride Drivers ATU Local 1208 will meet to negotiate the new contract for operators of the Crimson Ride buses. The University pays First Transit $55.50 per hour for each driver, and yet the drivers only see $9.50 an hour of that money. First Transit has been postponing and stalling the negotiations because the drivers are demanding fair payment for their work, which is skilled and licensed labor. Crimson Ride Bus Operators are more than just drivers, they are the friendly, caring faces of UA transportation who ensure that students reach their classes safely and on time. They are part of the UA community, and the UA community stands beside them. Dr. Witt, show UA and everyone across the nation who is watching the Crimson Ride Drivers' struggle that YOU stand by the drivers and the UA community as well. I am asking you to tell First Transit to quit stalling with their negotiation and agree to pay the Crimson Ride Drivers a fair wage: a living wage!