First Student workers in South Bend, Ind., voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 364, according to a news release. The drivers and monitors provide student transportation services for the South Bend Community School Corporation.

"Congratulations to these men and women for standing together and securing a landslide victory," said Bob Warnock, Local 364 president. "We're looking forward to negotiating a contract that gets these men and women wages and benefits that reflect their immeasurable value to the community."

The workers will immediately be covered under the First Student National Master Agreement, which guarantees a number of important benefits. These include provisions on safety, occupational hygiene, seniority, compensation for training and much more. 

Thomas Johnson works at First Student South Bend and has been a school bus driver for more 23 years.

"I've been a union man all my life and I think everyone needs a union," Johnson said. "We're looking forward to negotiating on issues like paid time off, health insurance, guaranteed hours, and much more."

Teamsters Local 364 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout South Bend, Ind. and the surrounding communities.