In a significant development in the labor movement within the Deep South, workers at Blue Bird Corp., a notable Georgia school bus manufacturer, have voted in favor to ratify their first union contract. This decision concludes a year-long effort that began when they opted to unionize.
According to WABE, the agreement between United Steelworkers union and Blue Bird spans three years, promising a minimum of 12% pay raise for the 1,500 workers covered. Certain employees, particularly those on the lower end of the pay scale, will see their incomes increase by over 40%. Additionally, the company has agreed to contribute to a retirement plan for workers, share profits, and enhance health and safety standards.
President Joe Biden lauded the agreement, stating, "Congratulations to members of the United Steelworkers and to Blue Bird for proving once again that meeting our clean energy goals is an opportunity to create good-paying union jobs for American workers." These sentiments came forth as Blue Bird received a substantial sum of $40 million in federal aid focused on manufacturing electric school buses.
Despite Blue Bird's initial opposition to unionization, CEO Phil Horlock described the contract negotiations as "very collaborative." Horlock expressed optimism about the future, saying, "We reached an agreement which provides positive outcomes for all parties involved and will continue to drive our One Team, high-performance culture," in a statement obtained by WABE. The new terms are expected to enhance Blue Bird's ability to attract quality workers by offering competitive pay and developmental opportunities.
This marks a critical achievement for the United Steelworkers in a region typically resistant to organized labor. Dan Flippo, United Steelworkers District 9 Director, emphasized the importance of worker representation, especially when federal investments are at stake: "Federal investments like these must come with a seat at the table for workers," he revealed in a statement obtained by WABE.
Georgia, where Blue Bird is the largest private employer in Peach County, has a low union membership rate compared to the national average, with only 4.4% of workers belonging to unions. This contrasts with a national union membership rate that dipped to 10% last year. The passage of this union contract at Blue Bird could signal a change in the tide for the labor movement within the state and potentially beyond.
