West Hartford School Bus Workers Vote Union YES!
Uniting Nearly 100 New Public Service Workers
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Chapter I117 Member Sarah Rice Rallies Fellow Drivers at First Student's School Bus Yard in March to Protest their Employer's Failure to Negotiate a First Contract
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School bus drivers working for Durham School Services, the contractor to West Hartford Public Schools, voted on May 30 to join our Union. The drivers, mechanics, and fuelers wanted a voice for tackling the issues they face on the job; from buses breaking down, to unfilled vacancies, to a general lack of respect for their concerns.
The District awarded its school bus contract to First Student, Inc. just weeks before the drivers joined our Union. By November, the employer had still not accepted our members' key proposals, and was postponing negotiating sessions.
That's why our Good Works Committee provided nearly a hundred turkeys and all the fixings to our members in late-November, so they could enjoy a proper Thanksgiving meal with their families. It's also why our Chapter's bargaining team organized an informational picket in West Hartford Town Center on Monday, December 8, to raise community awareness of their ongoing struggle to "drive up standards" with their employer.
At the same time, we continue to pressure the company to make negotiating a first contract with our members a priority. After First Student failed to provide an expected response to our latest proposals at a scheduled March 12 session, we scheduled a protest at the worksite on March 17.
Blog entry on March 17 rally and picket at First Student's West Hartford worksite
Blog entry announcing plans to speak out at February 26 Board of Education meeting
December 17 RadioActive interview with school bus driver Wanda Cobbs
Blog entry on RadioActive interview and community support for efforts
Blog entry reporting-back on protest members organized in front of Town Hall
Channel 3 News segment on Town Hall protest
Press Release announcing Monday, December 8 informational picket
Blog entry on members receiving Thanksgiving meals through our Good Works Committee drive
Press Release announcing West Hartford school bus drivers election
Blog entry congratulating our union's newest members
Hartford Courant article on the election results
Channel 30 News segment on the election results
West Hartford News article on the election results
