Local 2608 bus drivers and monitors win fair new contract

Some 250 school bus drivers and bus monitors serving the Unit 5 School District in Bloomington-Normal have won a fair new contract that includes strong wage increases, guaranteed daily hours, and improved paid leave language in line with the Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act.

During the three months of negotiations, it was the latter point that proved the most difficult hurdle. The employer—First Student, Inc., a company contracted to operate the school buses on behalf of the school district—wanted AFSCME Local 2608 to agree to waive their rights under the law and instead follow the company’s national leave policy.

The members of Local 2608 were clear: Under no circumstances would they agree to a waiver allowing the employer to supersede state law and change its leave policy unilaterally. During the three months of negotiations, the waiver became a sticking point, and with little progress in the first few bargaining sessions and the company refusing to make any new proposals, the members stepped up to show First Student that they were united in solidarity.

Local 2608 members signed a petition demanding fair wages and no paid-leave waiver, wore buttons, and placed signs in cars in the parking lot, making sure they were visible to management. Then on Sept. 18, some 80 local members showed up to the school board meeting where Vice President Steven Dean addressed board members to share the difficulties around the company’s waiver demands during negotiations.

After the board meeting, the parties returned to the table, where the company finally pulled the waiver from their proposal. A tentative agreement was reached on September 25. The negotiating team included Dede Bridges, Dean, Joe Schramm, Bobbie Burch, Bob Legget, Cindy Wilbur, Charita Jeffery, Tammy Schultz and Robert Blessing. It was led by Council 31 Staff Representative Renee Nestler. 

“I couldn’t be prouder of this contract, and that’s because solidarity was there from our members 100% of the way. We did a great job of sticking together as a unit,” said Local President Dede Bridges. “We didn’t allow that waiver, because we have the right to deny what they wanted us to do on their behalf.”