Local 73’s Voices: Jamie Frey on her Union Experience and Hopes for the Future

Meet Jamie Frey – Driver, Steward, and Mentor at First Student in Galesburg, IL.

Jamie Frey had nearly 10 years of union leadership experience when she began working at First Student two years ago. For nearly 7 years, Jamie worked at the Department of Corrections and served as a Chief Union Steward and leader of the grievance committee of AFSCME. “I won 87% of my grievances, and got back $1.5 million back to our union members,” she said.

Jamie was also a Teamster member-at-large while working at a non-union shop and was an active voice in the union. This expertise truly shined at First Student, and she was elected Steward after making an impression on the rank-and-file during contract negotiations. “They voted me in to instill confidence,” she said.

As a steward, she understands that a safe and productive facility involves management and union collaboration. She has worked with members and management to launch a recruitment drive, connect with new hires during orientation, and inform members of their rights during probation and disciplinary hearings. She plays a pivotal role in filing grievances – she performs investigations and enters into meetings with members to ensure the contract is being correctly enforced.

Jamie enjoys her job because of the flexibility she has as a part-time worker and she enjoys being behind the wheel. Throughout her driving career, Jamie has clocked 800,000 miles of safe over-the-road driving. She is deeply committed to the safety of the students she transports every day. She said, “we are transporting the most precious cargo: our children. I will make sure that the children are safe and nothing happens to them. When they enter our busses, whether in Knoxville or Chicago, the children are our responsibility.”

Jamie also served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic. She was reassigned to intelligence aboard the U.S.S. America during the Vietnam War where she worked with a 13-man Marine unit. Being a hands-on person, Jamie traveled with the unit on their missions.

With decades of valuable experience under her belt, Jamie hopes to strengthen the relationship between members and their union. “Compared to Chicago, we are the little sister. This little sister is getting ready to start kickin’ stuff!”