Share
Unifor members at First Student Bus, working as drivers in Whitby and Ajax, have voted to ratify a new three-year contract that improves wages.
“Congratulations to the bargaining committee who fought hard for the members to reduce wage gaps,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
First Student drivers in this region will receive a 5% wage increase in the first year, 4.5% in the second, and 4% in the third for home-to-school rates.
The contract also saw increases in “non-revenue” work payment – courier, bus evacuations, security, cold starts in the morning, and other maintenance – will be retroactive to Dec. 8, 2024.
Also, members will see wage increases in charter rates for private transportation.
“We are proud of the members who stood up to demand the respect they deserve in this contract,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi. “This agreement is a step in the right direction towards addressing parity across all school boards in this region.”
Unifor Local 4268 represents 185 members who drive school buses in Ajax and Whitby.
First Student Ajax/Brooklin transports approximately 11,000 students in the Durham Region public and Catholic school boards.
“We are pleased that our members will have the security of this three-year agreement that has been built upon their previous agreement with no concessions,” said Local 4268 President Debbie Montgomery.
The new contract will expire Dec. 7, 2027.
Unifor represents 20,000 members across the road transportation sector, with over 2,100 school bus drivers – 1,700 of which are in Ontario.
