EXCLUSIVE: Providence School Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike
Monday, February 16, 2015
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
The drivers of Providence school buses for First Student are threatening a strike over contract negotiations, and guaranteed working hours.
"A strike is imminent," said Nick Williams, Assistant Business Manager for the Teamsters Local 251. "We've got 184 drivers, and they're all Teamsters. We've been in negotiations since before July, and now it's come to this."
Williams said the issue in dispute is the number of hours for drivers, who are guaranteed up to two and half hours for the morning, as well as afternoon shifts. Williams pointed out that bus monitors are guaranteed three hours for the same shifts.
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"We're fighting for three hours in the AM and three in the PM," said Williams. "The monitors that are with the drivers, who are working the same route, they get three hours. Some of the drivers have two and a half, which is highest in the state. Most are two."
"The fact is that [these drivers] are working right next to someone making more than them to do essentially the same job," said Williams, who noted the monitors are with the Laborers International Union.
Teamsters on Bus Drivers
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December's authorization vote to strike.
WIlliams said the vote took place in December by the union to give the green light for a strike.
"The Union held a strike authorization vote in December, and the drivers voted 90-6 in favor of strike authorization," said Williams. "If there's a strike, there will be no one to pick up the kids. That's one of the reasons we're considering this right now, it's school vacation and kids aren't back in school until next week."
Williams added that number of drivers currently operating presented a major issue for the city.
"There's a huge shortage of drivers," said Williams. "They're supposed to have 230 [school bus drivers] according to the contract, which we're well below. There was a bonus at one point, $2500, for drivers with Class B CDL and a white card. They just can't get enough drivers."
"There's 200 routes in the city, and they're constantly borrowing drivers from other yards around the state," added Williams, who noted the Teamsters had nine bus yards in the state.
"The Providence School Department currently has an RFP out for bid on the busing. Apparently only 2 companies have responded and submitted proposals," said WIlliams. "First Student, and Ocean State Transit."
Legal Issues
"There's a state law - "failure to furnish shift work" -- that says if you're called in for a shift, you're guaranteed 3 hours," said Williams. "So what's the definition of a shift? We're of the opinion it's two shifts, with the morning and afternoon runs. We're taking this to court."
Williams noted that the Department of Labor recently voted in favor of First Student, but the Teamsters plan on challenging it. "There will probably be several rounds of appeals," said Williams.
According to WIlliams, one of the issues contributing to the shortage of drivers was legislation approved last year requiring drivers to look for work during the summer months, which has led to drivers getting other jobs, and not coming back.
"I get where they're coming from, but now if a driver's out [of work] for eight weeks, and they've got job applications out, they're taking the job at Home Depot, or wherever they've applied to, because they're required to be seeking work elsewhere," said Williams. "This is an issue statewide."
President of the Providence Central Federated Council Paul MacDonald said he would be reaching out to the Mayor's office to address the situation.
"We are at an impasse at the moment. Will be reaching out to stakeholders Monday, it seems to me that the parties are so close we ought to be able to get an agreement before the kids are waiting for the bus that never comes," said MacDonald.
"I'll be reaching out to the Mayor with the hope that he might help mediate since First Student has given their last and final offer," continued MacDonald. "We believe that our demands are reasonable and in line with other contracts that First Student has in place with School Department."
First Student did not respond to request for comment.
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