The Facts on Our Employer
If you think that First Student is a small, struggling organization—think again.
Our employer, First Student, is a global company that is making billions, while we struggle to make ends
meet for our families. As school bus drivers, attendants and mechanics, we are concerned with standards
in the school bus industry and are working hard to make some needed changes.
We are seeking a living wage, affordable health insurance, respect on the job and safety on our buses.We
wanted to share this information about First Student with you because it makes it clear that First Student
can afford to do better for us and for the children we transport.
Global Reach
First Student is a subsidiary of a major global company called FirstGroup. FirstGroup is a United Kingdom-based transport provider with operations in the United States, U.K.and Canada.
In 2006, FirstGroup America’s gross revenue totaled $9.1 billion, more than seven times their 2005revenue, with operating profits of $708 million.
The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Moir Lockhead, whose salary, bonuses, benefits andstock options package totaled more than $4.1 million in 2007.His pension plan is currently valued at
more than $8.3 million.
Here at Home
The answer is clear—First Student can afford to treat us right.
What we can’t afford is to sit by and not take action. We are working together so we can improve standards
for all school bus workers. The Teamsters now represent nearly 30,000 members in the school bus
industry, with more than 15,000 Teamsters at FirstGroup.
Join us and make a difference. We are stronger
together, and united we can drive up standards!
FirstGroup, a United Kingdom-based multi-national passenger transport provider, operates bus and rail services in United States, U.K. and Canada.
FirstGroup [LONDON: FGP] is headquartered at 395 King Street, Aberdeen, Scotland AB24 5RP, United Kingdom. Phone: +44 (122) 465-0100. Fax: +44 (122) 465-0140. The company is led by Chief Executive Officer Moir Lockhead, whose salary, bonuses, benefits and stock options package totaled ₤1.4 million (more than $2.6 million) in 2005.
FirstGroup, which employs 98,000 employees, reported sales of $9.1 billion in 2006, with operating profits of $708 million before goodwill, amortization and other exceptional items.
U.S./North America
First Student, Inc.
FirstGroup’s U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries include First Student Inc., First Transit and First Services that provide school bus and public transportation as well as vehicle maintenance services.
Under the banner FirstGroup America, each of the subsidiaries is headquartered at 705 Central Avenue, Suite 300, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202. Phone: (513) 241-2200. Fax: (513) 419-3242. Bruce Ballard serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. In 2006, FirstGroup America’s gross revenue totaled $9.1 billion, more than seven times their 2005 revenue, with operating profits of $708 million.
First Student, Inc., FirstGroup’s North American school bus transportation division, is led by Chief Operating Officer Dean Finch.
In 2005, First Student acquired Cardinal’s operations in the U.S. and Canada, increasing its fleet of school buses to 20,200. On February 9, 2007 FirstGroup PLC announced their $3.4 billion takeover bid for Laidlaw International. On October 1, 2007 the merger was approved by the US Department of Justice, and Laidlaw became part of FirstGroup.
First Student holds contracts at approximately 1,500 school districts and transports almost four million students to school each day. First Student is the largest school bus carrier in the US and Canada, operating over 62,000 buses in 39 states and three provinces.
FirstBus Canada is located at 140 4th Avenue East, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, S4N 4Z4. Phone: (306) 721-4499. Fax: (306) 721-7773.
First Student is the U.S. school bus market leader.
First Student owns and operates 62,000 buses in 39 states (five times more than current third place U.S. private school bus provider, Durham School services with 13,000).
Controls more than 40 percent of the U.S. privatized school bus market, and owns 50 percent of all privately owned buses in the U.S.
Owns 14 percent of the 475,020 school buses in the U.S., and services 1,500 school district contracts throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Third-largest Teamster employer, more teamsters than Interstate Brands Corporation, Pepsico, Inc., and Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.
More than $9 billion total corporate revenue. 50 percent of multinational’s revenue comes from U.S. school bus operations.
Union Representation
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Service Employees International Union represent more than 38,000 members in the school bus industry throughout the U.S. and Canada. Of those, more than 8,000 are public school bus drivers and the remainder work for private contractors.
The Teamsters represent nearly 30,000 members in the school bus industry, with more than 18,000 employed at the top two contractors: First Student and National Express. The Teamsters represent more than 17,000 FirstGroup workers in the U.S. and Canada.
