Brett Molina

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The Teamsters union is urging Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to improve pay and benefits for shuttle bus drivers.

In a letter obtained by USA TODAY, Teamsters official Rome Aloise called on Zuckerberg to amend Facebook's contract with Loop Transportation, the contractor who employs the drivers, to allow for improved wages.

"Facebook has the opportunity to change the course of events for workers who have watched silently on the sidelines as their passengers have reaped the rewards of the tremendous growth in the tech industry," Aloise, International Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 853, wrote to Zuckerberg last week.

Facebook did not offer comment at the time of publishing.

The Teamsters are negotiating a contract with Loop Transportation. Last month, shuttle bus drivers voted to join the Teamsters union in an effort to secure better pay, benefits and working conditions.

Tech giants like Facebook, Apple and Google outsource service jobs such as bus drivers, security guards and janitors to save money.

But many of these jobs come with low pay and few if any benefits, making it tough for workers to make ends meet in Silicon Valley, one of the nation's most expensive spots.

Shuttle bus drivers work split shifts, meaning one shift in the morning and another in the evening. They put in long days but are not paid for the time in between shifts.

Aloise says the Teamsters union plans to work with other major technology companies to negotiate better wages, benefits and working conditions for drivers.

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