UTU confronts school-bus driver concernsAt the request of the UTU, and four other unions, the AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department (TTD) has added a bus issues portfolio to its Washington lobbying responsibilities. The UTU's Bus Department alternate vice presidents, Bonnie Morr and Calvin Studivant, have been assigned lead roles of working with the TTD and its many member transportation unions in crafting an agenda of objectives to present to Congress and bus regulatory agencies. UTU National Legislative Director James Stem and Alternate National Legislative Director John Risch also are active in the effort. Following an initial meeting of its new school bus-driver issues working group, the following issues have been given front-burner priority for study and resolution by the TTD: * The growing privatization of school bus transportation and how it has affected the relationship between the bus driver and public-school district. * The increasing number of school-bus drivers considered, by their employer as part-time or seasonal workers, and thus not eligible for company benefits such as health care insurance, sick leave, paid vacations and retirement plans; and who are denied unemployment benefits and benefits under the Family Medical Leave Act owing to their part-time status. Many employers also deny school bus drivers split-shift compensation. * A need for improved driver training to handle challenges of special needs students who have physical and mental disabilities. Too often, driver training is limited to instruction in securing wheelchairs. * A need for on-board monitors, uniform disciplinary procedures and increased driver training to control unruly students. * A need for training drivers in the dangers of distracted driving that affect situational awareness, and providing medical-benefit assistance to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. * A need for more uniform background checks and equitable standards for disqualifying drivers. A recent TTD-sponsored panel discussion in Washington included participation by the UTU, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Amalgamated Transit Union, and the National Education Association. Morr, Studivant and Stem led a discussion suggesting joint crafting of a model labor agreement for school bus districts.August 4, 2010
