Richmond school bus drivers, union press board to preserve two‑hour activity minimum and address pay compression

Richmond school bus drivers, monitors and representatives of LIONA Local 804 urged the Richmond Public Schools board during public comment to preserve a two‑hour minimum payment for after‑school activity runs and to resolve lingering pay compression issues.

The bus drivers and monitors said the minimum guarantees predictable income for many households and supports extracurricular programs that keep students connected to school. “Taking away the past practice pay will cause tremendous ripple effect on the students and parents and eventually the school system,” said Darryl Williams, a school bus driver (public commenter). Keyon Shim, business manager for Local 804, told the board the union accepted concessions last year — including a change from an eight‑hour to a six‑hour base workday — and that preserving the two‑hour activity payment remains essential to avoid creating unpaid overtime gaps.

Union organizer Mamie Taylor outlined outstanding bargaining requests and argued that several recommended wage and staffing fixes remain unresolved. Taylor asked the board to fund collective bargaining agreements fully in the final budget and to clarify apparent inconsistencies in full‑time employee counts reflected in budget documents. “We ask that you consider all CBA recommendations for the success of our scholars,” she said.

Union members and drivers described operational effects they expect if the two‑hour minimum is eliminated: drivers said activity runs currently cover hours needed to reach a 40‑hour workweek, and removing them could eliminate overtime that many drivers rely on. Keyon Shim said the union already compromised by moving drivers to a six‑hour workday and warned that losing activity pay would force many drivers to stop supporting after‑school programs. Alphonse Blunt, a mechanic and union shop steward, also urged attention to decompression raises for fleet staff.

Board members did not take final action on the union’s specific requests during public comment, but transportation and finance items were discussed in later agenda items. The administration and several board members said they would provide follow‑up information about budget impacts, outstanding mediation items and next steps.

Ending: The union requested the board vote to preserve the two‑hour minimum and revisit decompression shortfalls; union leaders said they are prepared to pursue arbitration if necessary. The board asked staff to provide more detailed budget, personnel and procurement information in forthcoming memos to clarify the financial impact of potential changes.