Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 23, 2024

BLUE BIRD CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

001-36267

46-3891989

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

3920 Arkwright Road

2nd Floor

Macon, Georgia 31210

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(478) 822-2801

(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock, $0.0001 par value

BLBD

NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On May 24, 2024, Blue Bird Corporation issued a press release announcing ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers Union. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On May 23, 2024, eligible members of the United Steelworkers Union (“USW”) voted to ratify a three-year collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”or “agreement”) with Blue Bird Body Company, an indirect subsidiary of Blue Bird Corporation (collectively, the “Company”).

The CBA covers more than 1,500 production workers in our Fort Valley and Perry, Georgia facilities. The agreement provides an overall average of 12% wage increase in Year 1, 4% in in Year 2, and 4% in Year 3, as well as a simplified job classification structure to enable improved competitiveness for starting employees and better understanding for employees of their growth opportunities. The agreement provides for an annual contribution to each covered employee’s 401(k) account and provides a one-time $750 signing bonus to covered employees. In addition, the agreement provides an annual profit-sharing plan at 4% of net income once certain thresholds are met or a minimum of $500 per employee.

The financial terms of the CBA are within the expectations of management, and and supports our long-term outlook for profitable growth.

The Company issued a press release announcing the ratification of the CBA, a copy of which is filed herewith as an exhibit.

Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release of the Company regarding ratification of collective bargaining agreement, dated May 24, 2024.

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


BLUE BIRD CORPORATION

By:						/s/ Ted Scartz
Name:						Ted Scartz
Title:						Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: May 24, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

Blue Bird Announces Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement by United Steelworkers

Company Strengthens Position as Employer of Choice

MACON, Ga. (May 24, 2024) – Blue Bird Corporation (Nasdaq: BLBD), the leader in electric and low-emission school buses, announced today that a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been reached with the United Steelworkers (USW) union. Eligible members of the USW voted overwhelmingly in favor of the three-year agreement. The CBA covers more than 1,500 production workers at Blue Bird’s Fort Valley, Ga., facility.

The collective bargaining agreement provides the framework for well-paying jobs and competitive benefits along with attractive career development and skill-building opportunities. It will assist the company to attract, retain and motivate top talent, and will strengthen Blue Bird’s position as an employer of choice.

“I am pleased with the ratification of our first collective bargaining agreement following a very collaborative and professional process with the USW,” said Phil Horlock, CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “We reached an agreement which provides positive outcomes for all parties involved and will continue to drive our One Team, high-performance culture. We are confident that the agreement will further bolster Blue Bird’s position as an employer of choice in the region. We remain committed to serving our customers in North America with distinction and delivering on our growth plans. In addition, we are looking forward to a strong partnership with our USW team members.”

Blue Bird is the only U.S.-owned and operated school bus manufacturer in the United States. The company is the number one builder of electric school buses in North America with more than 1,500 zero-emission school buses in

operation today. The shift to clean student transportation helps Blue Bird sustain approx. 2,000 good-paying U.S. jobs.

About Blue Bird Corporation

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 20,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses in operation today. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird's complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

Media Contact

Julianne Barclay

TSN Communications

M: +1.267.934.5340

E: julianne@tsncommunications.com

Cover Page Document	May 23, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	May 23, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	BLUE BIRD CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-36267
Entity Tax Identification Number	46-3891989
Entity Address, Address Line One	3920 Arkwright Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two	2nd Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	Macon
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	31210
City Area Code	478
Local Phone Number	822-2801
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(g) Security	Common stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	BLBD
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001589526
Amendment Flag	false