USC shuttle drivers, dispatchers vote to join SEIU Local 721

USC shuttle drivers and dispatchers who say they’re grossly underpaid voted this week to join SEIU Local 721.

On Feb. 6, the workers filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union election, which was held Thursday, March 23 with a majority voting in favor. The school employs 30 drivers and two dispatchers.

“This historic win puts us in the driver’s seat, and gives us the ability to win fair pay, better benefits and a voice on the job,” driver James Sims said in a statement.

Sims said the election will improve the lives of shuttle drivers and dispatchers while also boosting the quality of services provided to passengers.

“We look forward to coming together with the university very soon, and in good faith, to begin the bargaining process to negotiate our first union contract at USC,” he said.

In a statement issued late Friday, USC Transporation said it was disappointed to lose its direct relationship with the employees, although it respects their decision to seek union representation.

“We are proud of the competitive benefits and compensation we offer our employees and look forward to sitting down with the union to negotiate a fair contract,” the statement said.

USC shuttle drivers start at $18 an hour, considerably less than unionized drivers at UCLA, who earn a starting wage of $22.74 an hour and top out at $30.58 an hour.

Unionized drivers at Los Angeles International Aiport earn even more, with a maximum hourly wage of $39.34.

SEIU Local 721 notes that other area shuttle drivers also receive periodic bonuses, something they say USC drivers don’t get.

What the drivers and dispatchers hope to gain through unionization:

• Higher wages
• The ability to negotiate union contracts that win improvements to shifts, workloads and health and retirement benefits
• Grievance and arbitration procedures to enforce union contracts and provide fair appeal procedures for employee discipline

Moving forward, the workers plan to elect a bargaining team and negotiate a new contract.

Last month, the drivers and dispatchers said USC managers had sent deceptive emails to the workers with anti-union messages.

“We’re fed up with being underpaid and undervalued despite our critical role in keeping students, staff, faculty and visitors moving,” shuttle driver Sonia Olivarez said last month.

In a February posting on SEIU’s website, drivers also said they work as “at will” employees who can be let go at any time for any reason or no reason, with no recourse for unfair situations.