www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1842377,Bus-drivers-First-Students-NA102409.article
D204, 203 brace for bus drivers strike
Buses expected to be running Monday
October 24, 2009
By KATHY CICHON kcichon@scn1.com
While First Student officials say buses will be running as usual Monday, Naperville area school officials have been scrambling to come up with alternative plans should the company's drivers decide to strike.
"Our next negotiation meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, and union representatives have advised us that they will not move to strike prior to that meeting," said Maureen Richmond, director of media relations for First Student bus company. "All routes will be running as normal Monday."
The negotiations involve bus drivers for Indian Prairie School District 204, a portion of Naperville School District 203, a portion of Oswego School District 203 and 34 Pace commuter shuttles.
"First Student, the district's bus transportation provider, informed us that a proposed contract between the bus company and its drivers was rejected by drivers. While a decision to strike has not yet been made, First Student told us that its drivers may strike at any time. I find this information disappointing, as I know it will impact so many of you and your children," District 204 Superintendent Kathy Birkett said in an e-mail message to parents Thursday afternoon. "It is important to remember that this dispute is between First Student and its drivers. The district is not involved in their contract negotiations."
Of the 29,700 students in District 204 schools, approximately 18,000 ride the bus each day. If District 204 is notified of a strike, it will immediately inform parents through a Connect ED phone call. Ongoing updates will also be provided through Connect ED, 204 E-News, and the district's Web site,
www.ipsd.org.
If a strike occurs, District 204 schools will remain open. Since Thursday school officials have been urging parents to begin making alternative transportation plans in case they are needed. The district has recommended families carpool to school, and some schools have been sending out plans for staggered pick up and drop off times. Supervision will be provided for an additional 45 minutes before and after school for bus riders.
"Thank you for your understanding and patience during this challenging time," Birkett said in her message. "I sincerely hope that First Student and its drivers reach an agreement so our families will not be impacted."
The possibility of a strike had District 203 officials working quickly to come up with alternative plans as well. Of District 203's 18,000 students, 11,000 ride the bus. While the majority of students ride buses operated by District 203, about 10 percent ride buses driven by First Student, which includes special routes in the district and out-of-district routes.
In a message sent to parents Friday, District 203 said its transportation department will continue all affected routes within the district should a strike occur.
"We are working to provide service for the out-of-district routes as well. We have made alternative arrangements for the routes that we will not be able to accommodate with our own buses and drivers," the message said.
The families of students driven to and from out of district programs by First Student will be contacted by the district about transportation arrangements.
"We're going to be OK, that's the bottom line," said Melea Smith, District 203 spokesperson.
Families will continue to receive updates via Talk203, and information will also be posted at
www.naperville203.org. The district will also activate a hotline at 5 p.m. Sunday. Parents can call 630-420-3254 for a recorded message advising the status of the situation. If there is no strike, transportation will proceed as usual.
The labor negotiations involve about 424 employees from two locals, Local 617 out of West Chicago and Local 179 from Joliet.
"We are committed to resuming discussion in order to resolve the situation, and we sincerely regret the impact this uncertainty will have on parents," Richmond said.
First Student and union representatives are scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Monday, said Brian Rainville, executive director of Joint Council 25, the umbrella organization for the 22 locals in the greater Chicago area.
"The employer said they are bringing a different offer to the table, and we're willing to listen," Rainville said.
He declined to specify what the unions are seeking, but said he hopes the bus company will present a good offer that is agreeable to the drivers.
"We believe that the compensation and benefits package we have offered to our employees is a fair market value, especially considering the current economy," Richmond said Friday afternoon.
The parties began negotiating in late February and met a half dozen times since then, Rainville said.
Both Richmond and Rainville said Monday bus service will be provided both in the morning and afternoon, no matter what the result is of the morning negotiation meeting.
"That would be unfair to have no notice...," Rainville said. "We have kids. We understand that."