Union files grievance against schools' new bus contractor

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 will be welcoming the new contractor for school bus transportation, Durham School Services, who is taking over in Santa Rosa County effective July 1st with an unfair labor charge and a collective grievance filed by the employees.

Durham School Services which out bid First Student who was providing the transportation service for Santa Rosa School System promised better service and better treatment of workers.  About 75 school bus drivers and monitors are under the negotiated group health insurance plan with the Union.  The Union represents almost 280 drivers and monitors with most having coverage from Tri-Care and spouse’s coverage.  But Union President Mike Lowery points out that Durham School Services agreed to recognize the Union and the employee’s labor contract.  Therefore the contract provides group health insurance with Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Florida for 75 workers out of the 290.

The employees paid during last school year for full twelve month coverage.  First Student agreed to refund the employee contribution for the months of July and August.  In turn the employees sent the Union Financial Secretary (Donna Tillery) and she was prepared to forward those checks to Durham School Services so that they could then make the Employer contributions for the summer months. 

The Union through a letter sent by Durham School Services states that they are not prepared to pay for the Employer contribution for the summer.  They will offer their Company insurance in open enrollment in September to be effective October 1st.  They claim that their still hiring employees and don’t see the need to provide insurance as outlined under the labor agreement.  The Union believes that Durham will slow the process down just to get out of providing insurance to these Employees.

“Many of these employees or their family members have serious medical issues and need treatment weekly, I’m amazed that Durham is acting like the former employer and they haven’t even moved one child yet.” states Mike Lowery, President of ATU Local 1395.

Union leaders have sent emails to School Board members and Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rogers looking for assistance.  Lowery reports they have not received any response.  The ATU Local 1395 has decided to file a grievance on July 1st under their labor contract against Durham for not providing group health insurance.  “There is no lapse in our labor contract, we’re not going without insurance lying down” states Teresa Coffield, Vice President who represents the school bus workers.  The Union will also contact the National Labor Relations Board in New Orleans and file an unfair labor practice against Durham also on July 1st.
The Union will be sending out letters to members and let them know that their insurance is cancelled and ask for support from the other members.  The Union is also considering a rally.

The Union also reports that many drivers have received letters of being hired but are being told not to report for training till July 15th.  The letter does not mention anything about in stating their health insurance.