Alesig workers marched on the boss to demand union recognition at the end of March.

A group of thirty-five paratransit workers at Alesig, which is a subcontractor of MV Transportation, has voted to join Teamsters 117. The dispatchers and reservationists cast their ballots in favor of the Union in an election with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, May 4.

Alesig workers came together five months ago to discuss how to win better healthcare, equitable wages, and basic respect on the job. Workers were also driven to organize to improve a workplace culture in which they felt disrespected, and their concerns were often ignored.

“We are excited to welcome workers at Alesig to Teamsters 117,” said Paul Dascher, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 117. “These workers serve some of the most vulnerable residents in our community, helping them get safely to their appointments and medical visits. We look forward to negotiating a strong Teamsters contract that reflects their priorities and recognizes the invaluable services they provide.”

Alesig workers support elderly and disabled passengers across King County. They join 330 unionized drivers, schedulers, and transit instructors at MV Transportation who currently perform paratransit services in the County.

“Now that we won our union election, I believe there will be a more effective workplace environment as well as more efficient communication between all employees,” said Magnus Lewis, a dispatcher who has been with Alesig for three-and-a-half years.

Secretary-Treasurer Dascher said the Union would strive to rectify the unfair compensation gap between workers at MV Transportation and Alesig.

“Workers at Alesig sit side-by-side our members at MV Transportation performing similar work, yet they are compensated at a lower rate. We will address this disparity in negotiations and make sure both groups are respected,” Dascher said.