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Urbandale school bus drivers say contract talks with Durham stalled; warn of possible work stoppage
Summary
A Durham School Bus Services steward told the school board employees have been negotiating without a contract since Sept. 11, that many drivers face food insecurity, and that union members authorized a strike if talks fail; the speaker asked the district and parents to urge Durham to negotiate in good faith.
Rachel River, who identified herself as a parent, school bus driver and steward representing Durham School Bus Services employees, addressed the Urbandale Community School District Board on Sept. 22 about contract negotiations with Durham.
River told the board Durham and the drivers “have not reached an agreement with us. We've been in negotiations for months and are asking for a reasonable wage and better retirement options.” She said many drivers work multiple jobs and “are under the federal poverty level,” and asked the district to encourage Durham to negotiate a fair settlement to avoid a work stoppage.
River said union members had voted and passed a strike authorization and that drivers were concerned about impacts on students requiring transportation under individualized education programs (IEPs), athletes who need travel to events and students who rely on school-provided meals. “We don't wanna cause a work stoppage and keep students from the transportation that they need,” River said. “We would ask that you support our workers and tell Durham to negotiate a contract in good faith so that we can come to work with a full belly, a good night's sleep, and feeling appreciated for the work that we do.”
Board policy, the board president reminded the room, limits public comment to three minutes and restricts discussion of confidential personnel matters; the board did not take formal action on the comment but members asked that parents and district officials reach out to Durham to encourage a resolution. River requested district assistance planning for continuity of transport for students with IEPs in the event of a work stoppage; the board did not provide a formal plan during the meeting.
