Teamsters at First Student have overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year national contract that secures improved benefits, stronger worker protections, and enhanced safety standards for more than 22,000 school bus employees across the United States.

The agreement follows months of negotiations and a credible nationwide strike threat involving 96 Teamsters locals that could have disrupted student transportation operations across the country.

“First Student Teamsters refused to settle for the status quo and fought for an agreement that delivers real improvements,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien in a statement. “This contract strengthens job protections, improves retirement security, and will continue to raise the bar for school bus workers everywhere.”

The new First Student National Master Agreement includes expanded access to healthcare benefits, stronger leave protections, and new retirement contribution standards. According to the Teamsters, more than 10,000 workers will receive pension contributions for the first time under the agreement.

The contract also establishes a standalone article governing video and audio technology installed on school buses. The language includes safeguards against misuse of surveillance data and requires future national negotiations regarding changes to onboard camera systems.

Matt Taibi, director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division, described the agreement as a significant win for school transportation workers nationwide.

“This agreement is a powerful victory that will make a real difference for our members for years to come,” Taibi said. “Thousands of First Student Teamsters show up every day to transport students safely to and from school and to help keep communities running.”

The national agreement impacts approximately 17,000 Teamsters members and an additional 5,000 school bus workers employed by First Student. Negotiators reached a tentative deal just hours before the previous contract expired on March 31.

“For a lot of us, this contract means less stress and more stability for our families,” said Kelly Plaisted, a school bus worker with Teamsters Local 633 in New Hampshire and member of the negotiating committee. “We love what we do and take a lot of pride in safely getting kids to school every day.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents more than 1.3 million workers throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.