Bus drivers ratify new contract with First Student

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - After several long months of negotiations, Savannah First Student employees represented by Teamsters have overwhelmingly ratified their new contract, 117 to four, according to a spokesperson from Teamsters 728.

The drivers were asking for income security during the summer months. In the past, the drivers had relied on unemployment benefits to last them through the break. However, a new law makes the drivers ineligible for this starting this summer, leaving the drivers and monitors concerned about having enough money to last them through these holiday periods.

According to Teamsters, the drivers and monitors will get summer pay in the new contract. They added pay for the Christmas holiday and Spring Break. Both sides also agreed to have a shorter contract that line up with the school board contract.

The retention pay, as it is referred to, will begin this summer. Eligible drivers will be able to get $100 a week for the first four weeks. Then, the amount will transition to $200 a week permanently for future summer and holiday breaks. Monitors will receive less. The holiday retention pay for Christmas and Spring Break, will begin next school year.

This money is in addition to the employees' current pay. Teamsters said First Student will be adding this extra cost into their bid to the district. First Student's contract is at the end of the school year.

"We finally said we can vote on this right here. and when we found out that everyone agreed with the proposal it was a relief. We don't have to sit up here and worry as much," bus driver Leslie Jenkins said.

It is important to note that this does not apply to employees who are hired after September 2015. Those employees will begin with no holiday or summer pay, then it will be phased in at lesser amounts.

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