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As Framingham prepares to run its own busing July 1, Teamsters urge early negotiations for drivers
Summary
With the district taking over student transportation July 1, union representatives and transportation staff described hiring progress, outstanding negotiations, and concerns about driver retention and route coordination.
A representative of Teamsters Local 170 told the School Committee that bus drivers still lack clarity on terms and that the union and city have not yet negotiated many issues beyond wages and benefits ahead of the July 1 transportation takeover.
Jim Marks, representing Teamsters Local 170 drivers who currently operate under a contract with NRT, said drivers need answers on items that will affect whether they transfer to district employment when the city assumes busing responsibilities. Marks asked the committee to facilitate discussions with the city and the city solicitor so negotiations can start promptly.
Finance Director Lincoln Lynch told the committee the FY26 budget includes the in-house busing program and that hiring is underway: as of the presentation the district had received 68 driver applications and expected to staff a 65-bus fleet with about 21 drivers starting over the summer. Lynch estimated an in-house busing cost of roughly $7.2 million in the FY26 draft budget and said interviews and hiring were actively underway.
Committee members encouraged timely communication with drivers to reduce uncertainty and asked administration to keep the committee apprised of negotiations and hiring progress.
