School bus factory workers in Georgia demonstrate potential for EV-driven union gains

Workers at the Blue Bird school bus factory in Georgia have shown that unionizing for better conditions is possible, even in the traditionally anti-union South, amid a push for electric vehicle production.

Gautama Mehta reports for Grist.

In short:

• The Blue Bird factory, receiving federal funds to produce electric school buses, successfully unionized with the United Steelworkers in May 2023.
• The union negotiated a contract providing significant wage increases, new retirement benefits, and a profit-sharing plan.
• This union win highlights how federal green investments can also support labor movements.

Key quote:

"There was unfairness, favoritism, workload... Lord, we worked sometimes six and seven days a week, and people needed to go home and see their families sometimes."

— Carolyn Allen, Blue Bird worker and union representative

Why this matters:

As the U.S. transitions to greener technologies, ensuring fair labor practices and good working conditions is essential. The success at Blue Bird suggests that environmental and labor goals can align, benefiting both workers and the climate.