Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
United Steelworkers (USW) members at Blue Bird Corp. in Fort Valley, Georgia, voted to approve a three-year contract that will provide the more than 1,500 covered workers with at least a 12% raise. Some of the lowest-paid workers at the company will get raises of more than 40%. The contract also requires the company to contribute to a retirement plan for workers, share profits, and improve health and safety.
“Federal investments like these must come with a seat at the table for workers,” said USW District 9 Director Daniel Flippo. “Our union has a long history in the South fighting for better wages and working conditions in a variety of industries, but for too long, corporations and their political cronies have tried to characterize the South as a place where they could run away from unions, cut corners and pay workers less.”
Blue Bird received $40 million in federal aid to build electric school buses, and President Biden said acting Labor Secretary Julie Su helped bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion.