First Student Hires Monitor to Protect Worker's Right to Unionize

First Student has set up an Internal Monitor's Office to help workers "freely decide whether to join a union".

The monitor, William B. Gould IV, a professor emeritus at Stanford University Law School and former chairman of the National Labor Relations Board, said he hopes the effort will serve as a potential model for other companies.

Supported by a six-person staff, Gould said he will investigate workers' complaints and report findings to company officials.

It seems First is trying to extend an olive branch to it's many disenfranchised workers, but not all unions and employees agree with the creation.

And while the Teamsters Union, which has been trying hard to organize First Student's 68,000 workers in the U.S. and Canada, has high regard for Gould, union officials said they don't like the fact they had no input in the decision.

The Teamsters' President sent a letter to FirstGroup PLC, First Student's parent company, outlining his concerns about the new monitor at First. Liz Valdes, First spokewoman, mentioned the effort started January 1st "to give employees another chance to let us know how they feel." The company does not take an official stance on unions, but historically First Student has not been welcoming to unions, threating termination of employees who join unions.

Original story