History of Local 295

Local 295 Pickens County School Workers received their charter on January 11, 2005. The interest in a Union was due to the fact that workers in Pickens County had friends and family members working in Cherokee County who were members of Local 299 and heard about the progress TWU was making for the workers in Georgia. A core group of workers attended some of Local 229’s meetings as guests, and they too saw the need for a Union to secure fairness in their workplace. Through word of mouth, the core group sparked an interest among the rest of the transportation workers. They contacted the TWU International, who sent Organizer Steve Roberts and Int’l. Representative Sue Resch to hold several meetings to talk about the TWU. Out of the enthusiasm and support of the workers, Local 295 was created.

At the January 2005 meeting, bylaws were adopted and elections of officers were held. The first President was Gary Needham, Vice President Sig Neuhart, Secretary Treasure Brenda Folsom, and Recording Secretary Connie Essary. President Needham was unable to fulfill his term, therefore, Vice President Sig Neuhart assumed the Presidency. Another change came along, when President Neuhart announced she was leaving the employ of Pickens County to take another career path.

Today the Local is headed by President Brenda Folsom, Vice President Diane Boyles, Secretary Treasurer Katie Crook, and Recording Secretary Connie Essary. While the Local may have had some growing pains, this new team is dynamic and committed and all are interested in workplace fairness, seniority, safety and training for all of their members.

While some Georgia Counties have fought us on dues deduction, Local 295 won the rights to payroll deduction for dues very easily. The Local was instrumental in obtaining the use seniority when assigning after school and summer routes and providing safety training and procedure on BIO Fluid Bags and Emergency Evacuation Drills, and for removing the tobacco surcharge of the non-smoking workers from the health insurance deduction.

Local 295 prides themselves for standing up for our rights as employees of Pickens County. Local 295 members are professionals, a valuable asset to Pickens County, workers who safely provide care and transportation for America’s Most Valuable Resource, the children of Pickens County.