Finance committee ratifies three‑year contract for bus drivers; first year includes $1/hour across‑the‑board increase

The Finance Committee voted Aug. 4 to ratify a three‑year collective bargaining agreement between Cranston Public Schools and the bus drivers unit of the Rhode Island Laborers District Council.

Key terms and fiscal impact: CFO Joe Balducci summarized the pay increases and fiscal impact. The contract covers three years: 2024‑25 (the first year, already elapsed), 2025‑26 and 2026‑27. Bargaining unit members will receive a $1.00 per hour across‑the‑board increase for the first year (the year that just expired) and $0.75 per hour across‑the‑board increases for each of the two subsequent years. Mr. Balducci provided the budgetary figures: roughly $139,000 for the first year, about $111,000 for the second year and about $113,000 for the third year attributable to the across‑the‑board wage increases; annual step increases for the group are expected to add roughly $30,000 per year but were described as separate from the negotiated across‑the‑board increases.

Funding context: The finance director said the school department’s recent trend of increased state aid supports the district’s ability to absorb labor costs for the duration of the contract; the first year funds remain available and later years are expected to be covered within the school funding outlook described at the meeting.

Other terms: Committee members asked whether privatization language was included. Balducci said the contract contains language addressing privatization: if the city were to contract transportation to an outside vendor, that vendor would be required to take on current employees and work with the union bargaining unit, so the contract preserves job protections in the event of a private contract.

Vote: The committee voted to ratify the agreement on a roll call; the ordinance ratifying the agreement passed.