FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Employees and management celebrated a historic contract at Blue Bird in Fort Valley on Friday.
In 2023, workers wanted to join a union. Some told us they wanted to improve their work environment.
At the time, the bus company released a statement saying a union was not in the company's best interest.
Now, both sides have bridged that gap.
When you see a yellow school bus you often think of the people who sit inside, not the people who make sure it rolls.
"We needed a solid work schedule, pay raises on time," Delushundra Thomas said.
Thomas is an 11-year employee at Blue Bird. Like other workers, she's a parent first.
"I know that you have to have a job to sustain your household, but great parents are active," she said.
Roughly 2,000 employees work for the bus manufacturer. Many support their families, and some are single moms. Being able to support your family is one reason Thomas pushed to unionize through the United Steel Workers.
"We needed a voice in the workplace," she said. "We needed fairness over favoritism."
Her passion is one reason why the Steel Workers Union and Blue Bird CEO Phil Horlock signed a union contract to improve workers conditions Friday.
"A union relationship is a partnership," Horlock said. "I know Secretary [Julie] Su agrees. She explained that to me, and I'm grateful we listened and we did it. We got it done."
Workers and members of the labor union cheered as pen hit paper, to sign off on safer worker conditions, stable schedules and better benefits.
"We have the 401k savings now where the company will invest into the workers," Thomas said.
In addition, employees saw pay raises of up to 40%.
"There's a lot of exciting things in the contract, so it's something to look forward to," Thomas said.
Acting Secretary Julie Su also came to celebrate the accomplishments of the company.
The company also celebrated their plans to build a 1,600 square foot electric bus plant. B Blue Bird got an $80 million federal grant to start the project, which could bring more than 400 jobs.