Unifor has negotiated a voluntary recognition agreement with First Student Bus, ensuring that the seniority of about 200 workers is maintained.
These unionized workers, currently employed by Stock Transportation in eastern Toronto, will transition to First Student without loss of seniority or changes to their employment terms.
The agreement comes in response to First Student’s recent acquisition of several school bus routes previously operated by Stock Transportation, a change often fraught with challenges for workers, Unifor said.
“Each time a contract for a bus company flips, workers are forced to reapply for their job with the new company, often with significant wage cuts and reduced benefits,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “It shakes their stability.”
Debbie Montgomery, President of Unifor Local 4268, highlighted the broader implications of contract flipping, noting its “demoralizing effect on a growing number of workers” across sectors. The agreement is a strategic effort to counter these industry-wide disruptions, the union said.
