HARTFORD—For the bus drivers working for West Hartford Public Schools' student transportation contractor, their top priority has been the safety and security of the children in their care. That is why in late-May the workers, who are employed by First Student, Inc., voted overwhelmingly to unite in CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. However, they are concerned that because the company has failed to make negotiating a first contract a real priority, it signals a lack of interest in recruiting and retaining quality school bus drivers.

The bus drivers are holding an informational picket Monday, December 8 to raise community awareness of their ongoing struggle to move First Student to invest in its workforce. Union members will be gathering at 10:30 a.m. in front of West Hartford Town Hall, located at 50 South Main Street. The rally will take place for approximately ninety minutes, and members of the union's negotiating committee will be available for press interviews.

"For years, the contractors for West Hartford's schools have had a tough time keeping qualified drivers because they offered wages that were far below a livable wage," said Marcus Evans, a veteran school bus driver working in the district. "When we voted for our union earlier this year, we voted to get a contract in place that could slow down turn-over and begin driving up standards" Evans, a member of the union's negotiating committee continued.

First Student, Inc. was awarded the transportation contract for West Hartford Public Schools in mid-May, two weeks before the drivers and mechanics voted to join CSEA/SEIU Local 2001. The company is a subsidiary of FirstGroup, a United Kingdom-based transport provider with operations throughout North America and Europe that employs 67,367 worldwide, and reported sales of $5.06 billion in 2005.

"We're just looking for fairness and equity from First Student -- and we know they can afford to make a greater investment in their bus drivers" Evans continued. "If they were concerned about keeping quality, experienced workers, they would make more of an effort to move this process along" Evans concluded, referring to the fact that First Student postponed the two most recent negotiating sessions.

CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers serving in state, municipal, and town agencies, as well as local school boards across Connecticut. The union's membership also includes workers with non-profit organizations and private companies contracted to provide public services through state, and local government agencies. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about the union's "Driving Up Standards" efforts.