The word “strike” is in the air between local bus drivers and Durham School Services. A few bumps in the road have caused concerns for at least one driver.
“We have talked about striking,” said one bus driver, who prefers her name be withheld out of fear of possible repercussions. “If things continue the way they are, we may have to strongly consider it. All we want is our check to be right, enough drivers to cover the shifts, and to be treated fairly.”
Durham School Services took over operation of all buses beginning this school year. Communications and marketing manager Kristin Sattayatam says the idea of striking has not been mentioned to her.
“We have not heard these rumors and would hope the safety and transportation needs of the Warren County students would not be jeopardized,” said Sattayatam. “We work hard to create a positive employee relationship with each of our employees, which directly impacts the service we provide to the students who rely on us for transportation. Open and direct communication with one another is the key to achieving this success.”
According to the driver, when Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale fielded questions from county commissioners about the new transportation company and referred to the situation as OK, a collective gasket was blown.
“When we read in the Southern Standard on Sept. 16 where the superintendent thinks everything is going OK with the buses, we were extremely upset. Maybe that’s what he was told, but things are far from OK.”
Hale says he stands by his statement that everything is going well, from the school’s perspective.
“As far as we are concerned, things are going well,” Hale said. “The children are being picked up and taken home safely. We are looking at this from a safety perspective. I think Durham is working out well.”
One of the biggest concerns expressed is getting the correct pay. The driver says her checks have been incorrect.
“I have to keep calling them and telling them my check is incorrect. When I tell them I need my money to pay my bills, they want me to pay for the check to be over-nighted to me.”
Sattayatam says human errors have been made and mistakes have occurred, but there are no outstanding payroll issues.
“While we attempt to pay all employees accurately, due to human errors, mistakes may occur,” she said. “Durham corrected all errors immediately working in conjunction with the employees. There are no outstanding payroll issues.”
Other concerns expressed by the driver and responses from Durham include:
• Mechanics being used regularly to fill in for drivers.
Sattayatam does not deny mechanics are used, but says they are qualified to drive and one mechanic is always in the shop.
“Each individual driving a Durham bus has a valid CDL and has undergone the same screening process as our regular school bus drivers, including a drug test and background check.”
• Uncovered bus routes.
“Not all routes are covered as they should be. We’re so short on bus drivers, some drivers have been asked to run double routes and that’s with using mechanics,” said the bus driver. “I’ve been here for years and this is the first time we’ve had to cover a double route.”
Sattayatam says “all routes are currently covered.”
• Loss of sick days, personal days and bad weather days.
“Drivers who chose to work for Durham lost all sick days and personal days,” said the bus driver. “We didn’t get to keep anything.”
Sattayatam says Durham does not provide sick days or personal days to part-time employees.
“Durham employees receive a competitive wage and benefit package along with the ability to collect unemployment during school breaks,” she said. “We are unaware of how the district addressed those employees with a balance of sick/ personal days earned with them.”
Dave Brabender, regional manager for Durham, explains that prior to being under the control of Durham, bus drivers could not collect unemployment for school breaks, such as during the summer.
“Now they can,” he said. “Collecting unemployment during the summer months when schools are closed should more than make up for any lost days.”
• Buying bus parts locally.
“Durham told the School Board that parts for the buses would be purchased locally so they would not hurt local businesses financially,” the bus driver said. “I don’t believe Durham is buying locally.”
Sattayatam says items are purchased locally when possible.
“Whenever possible, we try to buy locally. We continue to look for ways to support local businesses. For instance, Durham School Services is required by contract to purchase from Bridgestone Tires in Warren County on all of our buses servicing Warren County.”
Bus driver concerns were expressed to the Standard approximately two weeks ago. Durham was given time to review the concerns and respond. The company did so Oct. 5.
“Our goal is to staff with a respective compliment of drivers so students are able to be transported safely and on time,” said Sattayatam.
According to Hale, Durham is doing just that.
“From a safety perspective, Durham is doing an excellent job. We have had no calls from angry parents, no reports of bus drivers speeding, and no calls from the public saying that a bus driver pulled out in front of them. This year, they have saved us $60,000 in liability insurance.”
The contract between the school system and Durham is for three years.