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ATU representatives urge Charles County to address contractor labor practices, allege anti‑union retaliation
Summary
Two Amalgamated Transit Union speakers used the public‑comment period to say several Charles County bus contractors have refused to bargain with unionized drivers and that workers face retaliation and unfair‑labor charges. They urged the county and school system to consider how contracting decisions affect drivers and student transportation.
Representatives from the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) used the Board of Education public‑comment period on May 13 to press district and county officials to address labor disputes at contracted school‑bus companies, saying multiple employers refused to bargain with drivers and that workers face retaliation.
Naya Banks, an ATU organizer, told the board that beginning after a Wildcat strike in 2021 the union organized drivers at nine Charles County bus contractors. She said three companies have agreed to bargain and six are the subject of unfair‑labor‑practice charges to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Banks said one contractor closed rather than bargain.
"Contractors taking millions of taxpayer subsidies while their workers scrape by," Banks said in public comment, urging the board to consider the county’s role in contracting.
Brian Weible, also with ATU, said the organizing campaign has resulted in more than 15,000 transit workers covered by collective bargaining agreements across the region, and he urged the county to consider procurement and oversight practices that allow contractors to discourage unionization and retaliate against employees. Weible said drivers have lost options and face uncertainty.
What they asked for The union representatives asked for stronger county oversight of contracts, better enforcement of labor standards, and an end to practices that they say have led to multiple unfair‑labor charges.
District response Board members did not take formal action during the meeting. Board Chair Yanel Morley and district staff did not offer a response on the record to the labor claims during public comment but acknowledged receipt of the statements and the union’s concerns.
Why this matters School‑bus service is essential to daily operations for many students; sustained labor conflict or mass turnover could affect transportation reliability. The speakers tied labor practices to taxpayer subsidies and public‑service continuity and asked local officials to consider contracting practices when signing multiyear deals.
Ending The ATU said it will seek ongoing remedies through the NLRB and urged the board and county to take a larger role in ensuring safe, reliable, fairly staffed transportation for students.
