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Dozens of bus drivers and union leaders urge SFUSD to protect jobs and health benefits
Summary
More than a dozen public commenters—including school bus drivers and union representatives—told the board that contract changes have left drivers without health insurance and wages during the pandemic and urged the district to intervene or fund solutions; speakers stressed safety, continuity for special-needs routes and equity.
A lengthy public-comment block at Tuesday's SFUSD board meeting focused on school bus drivers who said contract changes have led to layoffs and the loss of health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multiple current and former drivers, speaking on behalf of SMART Local 1741 and as individuals, described decades of service and training, and urged the district to reconsider decisions that outsourced work to alternative transportation vendors or new platforms. Speakers said other Bay Area districts are continuing to pay drivers and preserve benefits; they asked SFUSD either to negotiate with its private vendor (First Student is cited in public testimony) or find district funds to preserve health coverage and wages while in-person school is suspended.
Union and allied speakers framed the issue as an equity concern that will impair access for students with special needs when in-person services resume. They also warned that training a new workforce would be time-consuming and costly, and that the city's most vulnerable students rely on experienced drivers for safe transportation.
What was said (representative): - "It is inhumane that during a pandemic, our school bus drivers are being laid off and thus losing access to critical resources needed during this time." (Adrianna Vincent, public commenter) - "It is unjustifiable for a company that makes almost $4 billion to leave their workers out to dry." (Haile Castro, teacher and commenter referencing vendor revenues)
How the district responded: SFUSD staff acknowledged the public comments and noted limits of direct authority over a private contractor; board members and staff signaled they were listening and would consider next steps, including whether to pursue district or city-level remedies or further discussions with contractors and unions.
Why it matters: The issue ties labor, contracting, equity and student access. If bus drivers remain out of the workforce or lack benefits, the district may face barriers to safely resuming in-person services for students who depend on bus transport, especially those in special education programs.
Next steps: Public speakers requested specific remedies (district-negotiated vendor accountability or local funding to preserve benefits). The meeting record shows public comment and calls for follow-up; the board did not take an immediate formal vote on this issue.
