DURHAM SCHOOL BUS EMPLOYEES SCHEDULE RALLY FOR STUDENT/WORKER SAFETY AND A FAIR CONTRACT
After months of Durham School Service failing to address critical concerns of their employees, workers will rally to raise awareness for their campaign focused on safety, service and reaching a fair contract which affords a better and safe future for workers, their families, students and our communities
On Thursday, July 30th from 2:00 pm-3:30 pm, school bus drivers, monitors and bus aides employed by Durham School Services will hold a socially distanced rally outside of Cumberland Public High School in Cumberland, Rhode Island. These essential school transportation employees, who service Cumberland Public Schools, Blackstone Valley Prep and Providence Mayoral Academy, formed their union with UFCW Local 328 in September of 2019 to address critical issues that impact both safety and service for their communities.
For years, these workers have witnessed a revolving door of employment, which has led to a number of safety concerns including understaffing, drivers often having to operate buses without essential monitors on board and bus crowding which leads to disruptions in service for our communities.
Disappointingly, Durham School Services refused to meet through virtual meetings the entire month of July and has agreed to only one meeting date on August 4th. We find their lack of urgency deeply troubling as we approach the reopening of school. This rally is to call on Durham School Services to act as a better community partner when families need it most.
WHAT: Rally for student/worker safety and a fair contract at Durham School Services for school bus employees who service Cumberland Public Schools, Blackstone Valley Prep and Providence Mayoral Academy
WHEN: Thursday, July 30th from 2:00 pm-3:30
pm
WHO:
Domenic Pontarelli – Secretary Treasurer of UFCW Local 328
Patricia St. Pierre – Bus Driver/Trainer at Durham School Services
Vincent Auger – Bus Driver at Durham School Services
Kiara Ayala – Bus Monitor/Bus Driver in training at Durham School Services
Ashley Cox – Bus Monitor at Durham School Services
Background: The hard-working bus drivers, monitors and aides employed at Durham School Services are standing together for a better future for both their families and yours. Each year, these essential workers dedicate themselves to safely transporting the students and scholars at Cumberland Public Schools, Blackstone Valley Prep and Providence Mayoral Academy.
They formed their union with UFCW Local 328 in September of 2019 to address important issues that impact both safety and service.
On Tuesday, June 16th, employees at Durham delivered a signed petition calling on the company to address their concerns.
You can read about it here: https://bit.ly/3hAYS2W
With the added responsibilities, changes in working conditions, additional hazards and risks both workers and children will be facing and the need to improve staffing levels, it is unfortunate that the company’s out-of-state lead negotiator is offering:
No improvements in wages
No improvements in safety or attendance bonuses
No extended paid sick leave in the event workers test positive for COVID-19
National Express, the parent company of Durham School Services, earned record-breaking profits in 2019 amounting to over $300 million. These proposals from the company would keep bus monitors stuck at only $11.22 an hour and would keep bus drivers earning below the standards here in Rhode Island. Low wages leads to high turnover and under-staffing that leads to disruptions in service for our communities.
The new state guidelines urge bus companies to provide additional monitors on every bus for safety, however Durham’s proposal does nothing to retain, attract or reward the essential staff our communities need.
We have attempted to secure future negotiating dates with Durham so they can respond to the important concerns of their employees before the start of the school year. However, Durham has refused to meet through virtual meetings the entire month of July and has only agreed to one date in August. We find their lack of urgency deeply troubling as we approach the reopening of school.
It is more important than ever that Durham prioritizes the safety concerns of their employees and our communities. Rhode Island families deserve it.