Apple, Yahoo shuttle drivers unanimously approve union wage package

Mike Snider | USA TODAY

Shuttle drivers for Apple, Yahoo, eBay and several other Silicon Valley companies voted Saturday to approve a union wage and benefits package.

The drivers who transport workers to and from those tech firms, as well as to Zynga, Amtrak, Evernote and Genentech, are employed by Compass Transportation. Back in February, the 160 drivers voted for representation by Teamsters Local 853 in San Leandro, Calif.

Drivers who participated in the vote approved it unanimously 75-0. It will now be forwarded to Compass Transportation for consideration.

"The overwhelming vote is an indication of the significance of the changes made by this contract, most of which are going to be life-changing for the people that drive these buses, and for their families," said Rome Aloise, International Vice President and principal officer of Teamsters Local 853.

The agreement is a three-year contract with hourly pay increases, shift differential pay, a six-hour minimum for drivers who do not work split shifts, and employer pension contribution. It is the same as the package that the Teamsters negotiated with Loop Transportation in February for drivers who shuttle employees to and from Facebook.

Compass Transportation continues in "constructive and productive," discussions with the Teamsters, says the firm's senior vice president Bryan O’Connell. "We look forward to our employees having the opportunity to vote on an actual formal contract offer from us in the near future," he said.

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