The box above pretty much shows what a very large number of school bus drivers receive for benefits.
This indicates to me the time has come to put to bed the idea that school bus drivers are part-time employees.
School bus drivers need to have a voice
The public needs be made aware that boards of education are not always as informed as they should be concerning what they are getting for their transportation dollar, and quite often have little protection if the contractor does not live up to their part of the contract.
In order to gain the benefits they deserve it is becoming more and more of a certainty that school bus drivers need one of two things, or perhaps both. (1) They need a strong Union to speak for them, or (2) an Association to go after group coverage for many of the benefits they so desperately deserve and need.
A review of studies on the subject points to one thing. Drivers that are employed by school districts as opposed to contractors are as a rule not only better paid, in many cases they are provided with health, life and retirement benefits.
This is probably at the heart of most problems between contractors, boards of education and school bus driver; followed closely by safety issues.
Consider what it is that school bus contractors have so successfully sold to the public and school boards as being a part-time job.
The companies sell you on the idea those drivers on average only work 25 hours a week, and as such don't need to be paid much over minimum wage and have no need for benefits.
The entire focus is on the town reaping huge savings in the transportation budget. All the board needs to do is buy into the company's philosophy without any regard for the employee, that, and sign a long term contract.
That is one side of the story and unfortunately the only side that is told or heard most of the time. Here are some facts they don't bother to bring up.
These part-time school bus drivers must be available to work anytime the company has a need for them between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
This represents a ten (10) hour period for which the company pays for, according to their numbers, on average about five (5) hours.
Now as has happened in far too many cases, if a driver should be able to find a real part-time position to supplement his/her driving pay he/she can be fired.
Example:
Your normal driving schedule is 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4p.m.
You take a par-time job in a local grocery store from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., never mind that this leaves you no time for lunch.
The manager of the terminal tells you he/she needs you to cover a mid-day run and you have been picked to cover it.
You have two choices; one, do the run and risk making your part-time employer angry.
The other choice is not do the run and risk being fired for refusing work. This, by the way, is a standard clause companies insist on including in union contracts with school bus drivers.
Another item they overlook is their ads that encourage mothers and single parents to come drive a bus because the company will allow you to bring your children to work with you. That does not mean they provide day care, it means you can bring your children on the bus you drive.
In addition to the above scenario, you must be available in case there is an early dismissal because of a storm, half day because of exams or any number of other reasons boards find for early dismissals.
Or how about this: You are expecting to go to work for 6:30 a.m. you take your shower and eat and dress, you are about to go out the door and the phone rings.
For whatever reason, school is being delayed 90 minutes. Now you have an hour and a half of dead time that you are not going to be paid for. No consideration that you may have had plans for the time you now must work. Or better yet, you are ready to go out the door and you receive a phone call...school has been cancelled.
Guess what, now you have an entire day of dead time without any pay.
Now let us take a few moments to review what is required to earn your starting pay of $10.40. This is average starting rate for school bus drivers in Connecticut. ( click to see: Wages in Conneciticut)
To become a first time Commerical Driver Licensed (CDL) school bus operator takes about three months with most school bus companies.
You will need to be fingerprinted, with copy sent to the F.B.I. (your cost $24.00)
CDIP ($8.00)
Tests by M.V.D. ($46.00)
Other Fees ($60.00).
You also have to pass a drug screen and a
physical exam.
And if you are being hired by a company such as
Laidlaw you will be paid minimum wages (about $6+ per hr = gross of $180+ over three months...wow)for the training and if you receive your CDL you may be reinbursed for part of the costs in getting your license.
Aren't these the types of benefits that would make everyone run right out and sign on to drive a school bus?
