Workers at Georgia school bus maker Blue Bird begin voting on whether to unionize

Georgia workers at one of the nation’s largest school bus manufacturers will begin voting Thursday on whether they want to be represented by a labor union — a chance for organized labor to make gains on the stony soil of the Deep South.

More than 1,400 employees at Blue Bird Corp.’s two factories and warehouse in Fort Valley will be voting through Friday on whether they want to unionize under the banner of the United Steelworkers. That union represents more than 850,000 workers nationwide in a variety of industries.

Blue Bird workers have said they’re seeking higher pay, a more regular schedule, and better vacation and sick time benefits from the publicly held Macon-based company, long the largest employer in nearby Peach County.