Hempfield Transportation Support Professionals vote to become part of PSEA

Bus drivers and mechanics for the Hempfield School District, all employed by First Student Transportation - the largest supplier of student transportation in the world - recently voted to affiliate with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. PSEA welcomes the new local association, the Hempfield Transportation Support Professionals, to join our 191,000 members.

The Hempfield group met early in March to ratify their constitution and bylaws and to elect officers. The new Southern Region local association has a bargaining unit of 119 members.

Don Smith, a retired Hempfield School District teacher with 33 years of experience was elected to serve as the local association's first president. Smith went to work for First Student five years ago, and said he was looking forward to this new phase of his life as a member of PSEA.

When asked about his goals for the new union, Smith said that he didn’t think they would be too different from his goals during the 18 years he served as president of HEA. “At Hempfield, we've received recognition for our safety records. I just want everyone to think of us as the best bus drivers there are.”

Smith also said that he hoped to get the members of the new union out and involved in the community.

The other individuals voted to serve as officers for the new local association are Carolyn Finegan – vice-president, Elaine Chan – secretary, John Bevan – treasurer, James Kondas, Anthony Bianco and Charles Benner – at large members.

The Lancaster New Era published a story on the new local association, "Teaching bus drivers to organize: Retired educator helps Hempfield drivers for first union of its kind in county." Read a copy of the article.