Bus Operators, Monitors and Technicians at First Student, Inc. reached an agreement on a 3 year contract with their employer. Approximately 450 employees will be covered under this agreement that contains seniority protection on routes, a grievance panel and safe work environment in addition to other improvements. First Student is the contractor responsible for managing and operating Chatham County school buses.

The contract will also give the employees a 17% pay increase over the life of the agreement, according to Teamsters Local 728 President, Randy Brown.

The employees were represented for collective bargaining by The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 728 in Atlanta, with a satellite office in Pooler, GA.   "This contract helps to raise the standards for the workers at First Student who are responsible for the most precious of all cargo on the streets in Chatham County, our children." said Jerome Irwin, a member of the First Student Contract Committee.