On one hand -- I love sharing labor victory stories. I know that victory stories don't get out there very far and I think it is important for folks to see the action workers are taking every day to secure better wages, work rules, a grievance process and health benefits. On the other hand, can you imagine voting for a union and then not being able to see your first contract for five years? In short, this is one of the reasons this country needs the Employee Free Choice Act.

Anyway, it was not very long ago that I drove a passenger bus to and from an airport with pilots and crew members. Though it was a job I really enjoyed, I didn't enjoy the sub-standard wages, the lack of work rules and the fact that we had no formal grievance process. I thought to organize there and, though there were some attempts before I got there and after I left, it never came to fruition. I have worked a lot of union and non-union jobs driving or loading and though I moved on from that specific line of work, I try to stay in tune to what is taking place in transportation and logistics.

This week I was pleased to learn that workers at Prime-Time Shuttle, a company doing the same work in Los Angeles that I used to do, unanimously ratified a first time three-year agreement with Teamster Local 952.

According to a release issued by the union, the workers voted 22-0 about five years ago for representation. As I alluded to before, one cannot help but wonder if they would have had to wait that long if we didn't have the Employee Free Choice Act in place.

From the release: The members at Prime-Time Shuttle work as guest service representatives and help board passengers onto the vans at Los Angeles International Airport.

"I'm proud to be able to represent a group of Teamsters that stuck together and showed great perseverance throughout this process, " said Eric L. Henry, Business Representative of Teamsters Local Union 952. "Committee members David Purcell and Jeremy Browder continued to build strength and unity among the workers."

Browder and Purcell look forward to having the opportunity to having their new contract in place to help resolve issues at the workplace.

"We know that with the strength of the Teamsters behind us we will be able to continue to improve our working conditions in the coming years," Browder said.

"Customers of Super Shuttle or Prime-Time out of LAX can be confident in the service the Teamsters will provide. They will make sure you get your van ride," said Patrick D. Kelly, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 952.

Today I am tipping my hat to these workers.