Workers at a Blue Bird factory that builds electric school buses in Fort Valley, Ga., recently voted to unionize, a victory that unions are calling a step forward for labor in the South. President Joe Biden congratulated the workers May 14. Following the vote, the company's chief executive stepped down.
"Where is it written that America can't lead the world again in manufacturing?" Biden said in a statement. "The workers at Blue Bird, and at companies just like it all over the country, are proving the future can and will be built in America. And union workers will be a big part of that future."
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Strings Attached
The United Steelworkers (USW) questioned the company's use of federal money as the union organized. The USW filed unfair labor practice charges against Blue Bird, citing $40 million in rebates the company had received from the Environmental Protection Agency, which provided those funds could not be used for anti-union activity.
"Although we respect and support the right for employees to choose, we do not believe that Blue Bird is better served by injecting a labor union into our relationship with employees," said Julianne Barclay, a company spokeswoman, prior to the election. "During the pending election campaign, we have voiced our opinion to our employees that a union is not in the best interest of the company or our employees."
Changing of the Guard at Blue Bird
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