PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- Every seat was filled at the Pickerington Local Board of Education meeting on Monday and almost all of them were bus drivers who had just voted to strike.
Pickerington’s bus drivers’ union has been negotiating all summer but still has not reached an agreement. So just days before kids return to class on Thursday, Aug. 14, the union authorized a strike.
Ohio island retreat on market for $1.59 million, offers secluded paradiseBut the strike hasn’t started yet and there is time for an agreement to be made.
Colleen Stockert, a bus driver for the district and a union rep, said the drivers’ employer, Petermann Bus, is ignoring the union’s request for longevity pay and better health insurance. Pickerington Schools currently contracts Petermann Bus for students’ transportation.
“We want to negotiate fairly,” Stockert said. “We're not even asking for that much. Not a lot of people want to be a bus driver. We love what we do. It's a hard job, but we want to be treated fairly. That's all. That’s all we ask.”
Stockert spoke in front of the school board on Monday, urging members to help the bus drivers in their negotiations.
If nothing is done over the next few days, Stockert said a strike is inevitable.
Columbus food pantry wins in court, can remain at current location“We worked all summer long and it expires at midnight on Aug. 13, so Aug. 14 at midnight, we’re on strike,” she said. “So we won't be transporting kids to school on Aug. 14.”
Pickerington superintendent Dr. Charles Smialek said negotiations between the union and Petermann are continuing Tuesday morning.
“We’re trying to make sure that we can come up with the most balanced approach,” Smialek said. “Again, understanding the bus drivers’ needs, respecting their position, knowing the value they add to our school district, and also understanding that we are accountable to our taxpayers and we have a bottom line.”
With some Pickerington students starting school as early as Thursday, Smialek wants parents to know that contingency plans are being made and school will not be cancelled even if there is a bus driver strike.
Labor dispute affecting Columbus fire protection“We understand that school starts on Thursday, but we continue to believe in the negotiating process,” Smialek said. “We have folks on both sides that really don't ultimately want to strike.”
The bus drivers’ union did not accept Petermann’s offer on Monday, which is when it authorized the strike. Negotiations are set to continue Tuesday and Wednesday in hopes of reaching an agreement before students are to be bussed to school Thursday.
Hence then, the article about pickerington school bus transportation in limbo was published today ( ) and is available on NBC4 ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Pickerington school bus transportation in limbo )
Also on site :
- Amazon's ‘Supportive’ Skechers Wedge Sandals Are ‘Great for Traveling’ and Just $31 Before the Big Spring Sale
- Physicl stellt auf der NVIDIA GTC die Dateninfrastrukturschicht für Physical AI vor
- CometChat Secures $6.5M in Strategic Funding from Run Ventures to Expand Next-Generation AI Agent Platform