What Do Drivers Want?

Survey shows strong priority on U.S.-made, union-made uniforms

More than 150 Greyhound drivers have responded to an ATU Local 1700 survey about uniforms. Members were asked to rate the uniform and its components, what’s in their closets and how much they spend beyond the allowance, and how high a priority they put on American-made and union-made garments.

Driver Dave Wood of Salt Lake City echoed 96.8% of respondents who care that the uniform be made in the United States, and 93.1% who favor union-made garments. “We need to go back to the American/Union-made greys,” he wrote. “They were more durable and comfortable, and they hid the dirt better.”

Wood also asked for a baseball-style cap as an alternate to the captain’s hat, an updated winter coat, and an end to being forced to wear a tie.

Several drivers want different weight uniforms for use according to season and regional climate. “Wool doesn’t make sense in Florida,” wrote David Thorpe III of Orlando. “Just make it comfortable and professional.”

Rate the Uniform

On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), how do you rate the current uniform?
3.86 average

On the same scale, how do you rate the following elements of the uniform:
Style .................. 4                          Fit .................. 3.75
Material ........ 2.61                         Durability ..... 3.44

What’s in Your Closet?

How many uniform pieces do you own?
Jackets ........ 1.52                         Vests ............ 1.82
Shirts.............6.74                         Hats ..............1.05
Pants ............ 5.24                        Ties................3.11

How much do you spend out-of-pocket on uniforms each year above the uniform allowance?
$174.42 average

Intangibles

How strongly do you agree with the following statement: The Greyhound driver’s uniform should reflect our professionalism, even if it costs more.
Very ................ 76.7%
Somewhat ......  16.4%
Priority ............ 93.1%

How important is it to you that Greyhound uniforms be American-made?
Very ................. 87.3%
Somewhat ........ 9.5%
Priority ...........  96.8%

How important is it to you that uniforms be union-made?
Very ................. 80.1%
Somewhat ......... 13%
Priority ............ 93.1%