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May 3, 2002

  • California strike ended April 28th ...
  • Our next meeting with B/O/E,June 5th
  • Next Winsted drivers meeting May 23rd.
    George Brier to speak and answer questions.
  • Winsted Drivers meeting on June 5th
    Aflac representative Steven Caruso to present insurance proposal.

    • Driver News from Here, There and Everywhere...

    California drivers reject latest offer...

    More than 400 school bus drivers in Los Angeles, out on strike since April 2nd, overwhelmingly rejected the latest company offer by a vote of 413 - 2, telling Laidlaw officials "we will stay out as long as necessary, plus a day."

    The drivers are asking to have their pay increased to the same rate that is currently being paid to other school bus drivers in the same school district. Laidlaw is paying their drivers from a low of $8 per hour to a high of $15 to it's most senior drivers. Drivers, other than Laidlaw, in this district are being paid a low of $13 per hour to a high of $24, or another way of saying this; Laidlaw is paying anywhere from $5 to $9 less per hour

    In addition, the district drivers are receiving health benefits, which are not available to Laidlaw drivers



    After a 26 day strikeTeamster drivers reach agreement with Laidlaw...

    April 28, 2002:
    Twenty six days of standing their ground has given drivers employed by Laidlaw a big first step toward being paid an acceptable wage. Highlights of three year contract inclue:

  • a 3.5% wage increase over the life of the package
  • expanded health coverage
  • 1 week paid vacation for all employees (this is a HUGE first for drivers employed by Laidlaw)
  • Retroactive pay dating back to August 2001
    Anyone even slightly familiar with Laidlaw will appreciate what a victory for the drivers this is.

    Torrington, Ct. Drivers considering joining Teamsters...

    In a move to protect themselves against the abusive treatment by Laidlaw a number of drivers have been meeting to consider joining a union. The first meeting was held Thursday, April 18th and on Monday Laidlaw was already in their full "we are the good guys uniform" posting a notice on the driver bulletin board announcing that starting today all field trips and charters will be paid at a rate equal to .50 below a drivers normal driving rate. While we are happy for the Torrington drivers, we can not help but marvel at how once again Laidlaw holds out a carrot when the possiblity of a union vote comes up. If they are truly so interested in the welfare of their drivers why is it that the only time they move to improve the drivers lot is when they fear a union might be voted in.

    All this just proves once again that Laidlaw has the money to pay their drivers a living wage, but will never offer anything until their hand is forced by the drivers seeking to have a union.

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