Teamsters Reach Tentative Deal with First Student, Avoiding Nationwide School Bus Strike

The new contract establishes national economic terms and benefits for over 17,000 school bus workers across the U.S.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:18pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal school bus model, a stack of papers representing the contract, and a Teamsters union pin, all arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background with dramatic lighting and shadows, conceptually representing the labor negotiations that led to this breakthrough agreement.The tentative agreement between the Teamsters and First Student sets a new benchmark for school bus transportation workers nationwide.Belvidere Today

The Teamsters First Student National Negotiating Committee reached a tentative agreement with First Student, the largest private bus company in the U.S., just hours before the expiration of the existing contract. The breakthrough comes after union members authorized a strike by an overwhelming 88% margin, signaling strong support for job action if negotiations failed to produce a fair deal.

Why it matters

A nationwide school bus strike involving thousands of workers would have had significant impacts on students, families, and school districts across the country. This tentative agreement avoids that disruption and sets a new industry benchmark for school transportation workers' wages, benefits, and working conditions.

The details

The tentative agreement establishes a national economic framework that will be applied to local contracts, providing baseline protections and benefits for more than 17,000 school bus workers across 96 Teamsters locals. This includes enhanced retirement benefits, improved access to healthcare, and stronger contractual positions on working conditions. Union leaders say the improved national terms will help local unions negotiate additional workplace-specific improvements.

  • The existing National First Student Master Agreement was set to expire on March 31, 2026.
  • The tentative agreement was reached just hours before the contract expiration.

The players

Teamsters First Student National Negotiating Committee

The union committee that represented Teamsters members in the negotiations with First Student.

First Student

The largest private bus company in the United States, providing school transportation services to several northern Illinois school districts.

Sean M. O'Brien

Teamsters General President.

Matt Taibi

Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division.

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What they’re saying

“First Student Teamsters were unified and prepared to take on this company nationwide. Our solidarity forced real movement at the bargaining table, and we delivered a contract in the 11th hour that honors the critical work our members do every day. Teamsters set the standard for the entire school bus industry, and this agreement raises the bar for school bus transportation workers everywhere.”

— Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President

“This tentative agreement is the direct result of members standing shoulder to shoulder and refusing to settle for less. Workers showed the company they were prepared to strike if necessary, and that solidarity made the difference at the bargaining table.”

— Matt Taibi, Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division

What’s next

The National First Student Master Agreement will now move to Teamsters members for a vote in the coming weeks. If ratified, the deal will set a new industry benchmark for school transportation workers nationwide.

The takeaway

This tentative agreement demonstrates the power of worker solidarity and the ability of unions to secure improved wages, benefits, and working conditions for their members. It sets a new standard for the school bus transportation industry and will likely have ripple effects across the sector.