Bus drivers at First Student denounced workplace harassment and called on management to stop its retaliatory behavior to improve the working conditions for the delivery of services to Fresno’s most vulnerable children.
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Fresno, CA – Bus Drivers represented by SEIU Local 521, who provide essential transportation services for disabled children, were joined by community leaders on Monday morning in denouncing wage theft, sexual harassment, and other workplace violations, at First Student Inc.
Workers said First Student, who contracts with Fresno Unified School District for student transportation solutions, is not prioritizing workplace safety and has engaged in wage theft practices. Instead, the employer retaliates against workers who speak up to improve conditions for workers and the families they serve.
“For too long, First Student has used intimidation and retaliation tactics to try to silence us, but today we’re saying, STOP! We care deeply about the students and families we serve every day, but First Students actions have demonstrated they only care about their bottom line and operation needs,” said Gustavo Ruiz, a First Student Bus Driver and SEIU 521 First Student Chapter President.
In an urgent call to change that, local elected officials and community leaders joined dozens of frontline bus driver workers for a press conference outside of the First Student bus yard in Fresno. Some workers shared testimony of the violations suffered by frontline workers.
“Who can we trust if we can’t turn to anyone at First Student to ensure our safety? Who is caring for the Drivers who deliver essential services throughout Fresno and its surrounding areas? How can First Student claim to be a trusted provider if it ignores and silences its workers?,” said Monica Apodaca, a Bus Driver and Trainer for First Student and a member of SEIU Local 521.
Local elected officials, including Fresno County Supervisor-elect Luis Chavez, Fresno Unified School District Trustee Genoveva Islas, Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, and other community leaders joined workers and provided comments.
“I am concerned about a lot of things we’re hearing today…and I plan to take further action,” said Genoveva Islas, Trustee for Fresno Unified School District. “Parents with vulnerable children are under a lot of stress, just from the day-to-day, having to manage and care for their children. This is not something that we can afford to add to their stress, being worried about their safety…those are things we need to make sure that we avoid.”
Other press conference speakers included:
Riko Mendez, SEIU Local 521 Chief Elected Officer
Peter Beck, Fresno Teachers Association (VTA) Vice President
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Service Employees International Union, Local 521 represents 53,000 public- and nonprofit, private-sector workers in California’s Bay Area, the Central Coast, and in the Central Valley. Under a Community First vision, we are committed to making sure the needs of our community, and the vital services we provide our community, come first. We believe our communities thrive when residents, leaders and workers recognize that we are all in this together when it comes to our safety, health, and well-being.
