South Portland bus drivers to vote on joining union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=40929

South Portland bus drivers to vote on joining union
By Linda Hersey
Contributing Writer

SOUTH PORTLAND (Aug 2, 2007): South Portland’s bus drivers are scheduled to vote this month on whether the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees should represent them in bargaining talks with the city.

The Maine Labor Relations Board, a state agency, confirmed this week that ballots will be mailed out on Aug. 10 to the city’s 11 full-time bus drivers.

The mail-in votes will be counted on Aug. 24 at the board’s office in Augusta.

A majority of yes votes would enable AFSCME – the state’s primary union for government workers – to negotiate wages and working conditions for the bus drivers.

The bus drivers then would decide if they want to join the union, allowing them to vote on union leadership and decisions.

“Their (the drivers’) main concern is that they want a voice and representation before the city,” said Jim Beaulieu, staff representative for AFSCME.

FULL story at link.