Apple shuttlebus drivers vote in favor of first contract after unionization

More than 30 drivers who ferry Apple employees to work from off-site parking will not only get previously negotiated wage increases, but will be granted health benefits, pension contributions, vacation time, and overtime.

The drivers work for Loop Transportation, and are affiliated with Teamsters' Local 853. The union represents shuttle drivers for tech companies Apple, eBay, Evernote, Facebook, Google, PayPal, and Yahoo.

In 2015, drivers began to speak out against tech companies in Silicon Valley. Initial complaints centered around unpaid downtime in between routes driven in the morning and evening. The downtime problem has been addressed in this contract, and is considered paid time.

The Teamsters' contract was initially approved and submitted in August 2015.

Before the 25 percent rate hike for Apple drivers in March 2015, prior to unionization, drivers averaged around $27,000 per year. "The pay increases are so significant to these people," said Rome Aloise, Teamsters International vice president and Local 853 principal officer. "They're life-changing."

17 Comments

ktappe 824 comments · 16 Years

About 8 years ago

Good for them. Don't let anyone tell you unions no longer have a place in our society; this is proof they do.

dasanman69 12999 comments · 15 Years

Good for them.

vincechoi 3 comments · 9 Years

Small inconvenience for the tech companies until the drivers are replace by autonomous vehicles. But yeah hurray for them!

redraider11 186 comments · 9 Years

Complaining about unpaid downtime? If you're not working, then why should you get paid??? These leaches days are numbered. No wonder we ship manufacturing jobs overseas and are trying to automate everything.

truthintech 1 comment · 8 Years

AppleInsider said:

More than 30 drivers who ferry Apple employees to work from off-site parking will not only get previously negotiated wage increases, but will be granted health benefits, pension contributions, vacation time, and overtime.

The drivers work for Loop Transportation, and are affiliated with Teamsters' Local 853. The union represents shuttle drivers for tech companies Apple, eBay, Evernote, Facebook, Google, PayPal, and Yahoo.

In 2015, drivers began to speak out against tech companies in Silicon Valley. Initial complaints centered around unpaid downtime in between routes driven in the morning and evening. The downtime problem has been addressed in this contract, and is considered paid time.

The Teamsters' contract was initially approved and submitted in August 2015.

Before the 25 percent rate hike for Apple drivers in March 2015, prior to unionization, drivers averaged around $27,000 per year. "The pay increases are so significant to these people," said Rome Aloise, Teamsters International vice president and Local 853 principal officer. "They're life-changing."

This is what companies negotiated so good if both parties feel it's fair. However, article is misleading in that "average wages" were based on many part time workers. Actual hourly wage was $18.00 per hour. Not commenting on good or bad of wage, but on annual basis was closer to 40K if worked full time and now is over 50K for full time.

Also left out is that while large and wealthy companies are paying more, large and wealthy union is making around $900 per year in union dues from each of these drivers.