August 11, 2010: Standing up is paying off for Juan Carlos Rodriguez and other school bus drivers.

Standing up is paying off for Juan Carlos Rodriguez and other school bus drivers.

Consolidated Bus Transit (CBT) was recently forced to pay Rodriguez $140,000 in back pay and benefits for illegally firing him.

When Teamster drivers at CBT got together to enforce their contract, they faced threats and retaliation from their employer and Local 854 officials.

TDU helped Rodriguez and other members take legal action—and win. After returning to work, Rodriguez was elected to the contract negotiating committee.

“I’m glad to have the money. But respect—and the right to stand up for change—those are things you can’t put a price on,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez generously donated several thousand dollars of his back pay award to TDU to help other Teamsters fight back and win.

Can’t Put a Price On Respect

“I’m glad to have the money. But respect—and the right to stand up for change—those are things you can’t put a price on.”

Juan Carlos Rodriguez Consolidated Bus Transit Local 854, New York