KANSAS CITY, Mo. - School bus drivers plan another strike vote tonight as their battle continues with a local school bus company. A strike could lead to school cancellation.
Drivers represented by Teamsters Local 838 will vote tonight on a contract in the Park Hill School District. They are in the middle of a contract dispute with First Student school bus company.
“Some of the issues of major concerns to bus drivers are safety issues,” says Chris Conwell.
Conwell has been a bus driver in the Park Hill School District for two and a half years.
Conwell says drivers are concerned about broken radios in the busses. He adds that if a student gets hurt or if there’s an accident those radios are crucial.
Another issue for the drivers is the company’s wage increase offer.
“It doesn't do very well in this economy. We need to have something,” says Conwell.
If they vote to go on strike it could affect about 6,600 students in the Park Hill district.
"Not having school is one of the possibilities yes,” says Jim Rich, director of operations for the district.
Rich adds that it may not be practical to have parents drop their kids off and pick them up everyday. He says getting a contract with another bus company could take months.
First Student sent NBC Action News this statement:
"The safety and security of the students we transport each day is our core value. That's why we have been working diligently with union representatives for a full year to negotiate an agreement that is fair and reasonable for all parties involved.
The proposed contract offers average wage increases of 9 - 10% over three years, depending on a driver's tenure with the company. In addition we have offered four additional paid days off, which increases the total compensation package.
We believe the compensation and benefits package we have offered to our employees is of fair market value. The rate of pay offered is competitive with those in similar positions throughout the area, and we believe this is a fair proposal. We are hopeful we can come to an agreement quickly."
Drivers who work in Grandview voted down a proposal last night from First Student school bus company.
A spokesman for the Grandview school district says a strike would affect about 80 students. They would use district busses to transport those students to and from school.
Votes are also coming later this week for drivers in the Olathe and Blue Valley School Districts.
A strike could happen as soon as Friday.
