EXCLUSIVE: Providence School Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
EXCLUSIVE: Providence School Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike
"A strike is imminent," said Nick Williams, Assistant Business Manager for the Teamsters Local 251. "We've got 184 drivers, and they're all Teamsters. We've been in negotiations since before July, and now it's come to this."
Williams said the issue in dispute is the number of hours for drivers, who are guaranteed up to two and half hours for the morning, as well as afternoon shifts. Williams pointed out that bus monitors are guaranteed three hours for the same shifts.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We're fighting for three hours in the AM and three in the PM," said Williams. "The monitors that are with the drivers, who are working the same route, they get three hours. Some of the drivers have two and a half, which is highest in the state. Most are two."
"The fact is that [these drivers] are working right next to someone making more than them to do essentially the same job," said Williams, who noted the monitors are with the Laborers International Union.
Teamsters on Bus Drivers
"The Union held a strike authorization vote in December, and the drivers voted 90-6 in favor of strike authorization," said Williams. "If there's a strike, there will be no one to pick up the kids. That's one of the reasons we're considering this right now, it's school vacation and kids aren't back in school until next week."
Williams added that number of drivers currently operating presented a major issue for the city.
"There's a huge shortage of drivers," said Williams. "They're supposed to have 230 [school bus drivers] according to the contract, which we're well below. There was a bonus at one point, $2500, for drivers with Class B CDL and a white card. They just can't get enough drivers."
"There's 200 routes in the city, and they're constantly borrowing drivers from other yards around the state," added Williams, who noted the Teamsters had nine bus yards in the state.
"The Providence School Department currently has an RFP out for bid on the busing. Apparently only 2 companies have responded and submitted proposals," said WIlliams. "First Student, and Ocean State Transit."
Legal Issues
Williams noted that the Department of Labor recently voted in favor of First Student, but the Teamsters plan on challenging it. "There will probably be several rounds of appeals," said Williams.
According to WIlliams, one of the issues contributing to the shortage of drivers was legislation approved last year requiring drivers to look for work during the summer months, which has led to drivers getting other jobs, and not coming back.
"I get where they're coming from, but now if a driver's out [of work] for eight weeks, and they've got job applications out, they're taking the job at Home Depot, or wherever they've applied to, because they're required to be seeking work elsewhere," said Williams. "This is an issue statewide."
President of the Providence Central Federated Council Paul MacDonald said he would be reaching out to the Mayor's office to address the situation.
"We are at an impasse at the moment. Will be reaching out to stakeholders Monday, it seems to me that the parties are so close we ought to be able to get an agreement before the kids are waiting for the bus that never comes," said MacDonald.
"I'll be reaching out to the Mayor with the hope that he might help mediate since First Student has given their last and final offer," continued MacDonald. "We believe that our demands are reasonable and in line with other contracts that First Student has in place with School Department."
First Student did not respond to request for comment.
The Ten Most Politically Powerful in Providence
10.
Buff Chace - Developer
Regardless of who is the Mayor, the Downcity developer flexes his economic muscle and constantly wins superior tax agreements.
The visionary developer transformed Westminster Street from a blighted dead zone to a tony-neighborhood.
He has realized tens of millions in benefits in tax breaks from the City over the past two decades and will be back again this year. He still has open issues on a range of properties and is the likely candidate to take control of the Providence Journal’s building on Fountain Street.
9.
Myrth York - Politico
The former State Senator from the East Side and three-time failed candidate for Governor has become a major power in Democratic circles both in the city and statewide. She went all in for both Gina Raimondo and Jorge Elorza and she won big.
Recently, she scored an appointment to the Beacon Insurance Board as a part of a Chafee-Raimondo agreement.
York has been the Chair of the Zoning Board during the tenure of Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. The changes to zoning on Federal Hill under the York leadership of the Zoning Board have been widely scrutinized.
York is seen as a major mentor and supporter to Brett Smiley, the City of Providence’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer.
8.
Buddy Cianci - Former Mayor, Radio Talk Show Host
He lost the election, but make no mistake about it -- the two-time convicted felon and talk show radio host still casts a big shadow. He came within a couple thousand votes of winning the Mayor’s office again.
Cianci still talks to every player in the City nearly every day. He strategically uses his radio show to set the agenda.
The new Council leadership has a number of Cianci supporters among their ranks.
7.
House Majority Leader John DeSimone
With the resignation of Gordon Fox in 2014, the City of Providence’s influence in the legislature took a big hit losing the Speaker’s office. DeSimone rose to majority leader as part of the Speaker Nick Mattiello leadership team.
DeSimone will be the key to the City of Providence’s financial well-being. Elorza and Smiley will need to quickly build a strong relationship with DeSimone.
With the State of Rhode Island facing a $200 million budget deficit as well as a potential further hit due to the loss of gaming revenue with Massachusetts facilities coming online, the appeals of the City of Providence for financial support will be difficult.
6.
Joe Paolino - Former Mayor and Developer
The former Mayor of Providence upped his investment in the City of Providence with a $60 million deal in January of 2014 to purchase three major buildings in the financial district.
That investment further extended the Paolino empire in Providence. He continues to be a national player in Democratic politics and fundraising, but his economic interests are embedded in Providence.
5.
Sabina Matos, Council President Pro Tempe
Matos, who will be formally elected President Pro Tempe of the Providence City Council, has firmly established herself as the most influential Latina in the City of Providence.
Her savvy strategy to team with Aponte creates a trifecta of Hispanic power in the City of Providence - the three most powerful positions are all lead by Hispanics.
The Rhode Island College grad who represents the 15th Ward - the Olneyville and Silver Lake neighborhoods,-- is emerging as Providence’s most influential woman.
4.
Tony Simon, Chief of Staff
The Chief of Staff for Mayor Elorza comes to the City from Sheldon Whitehouse’s office. He served as Rhode Island Deputy State Director for the junior senator and his transition to City politics should be smooth.
He is knowledgeable about the City’s politics and obviously well-connected with the Congressional delegation and the State House.
His challenge may be will he -- or Smilley -- have the Elorza’s ear.
3.
Brett Smiley - Chief Operating Officer
The former political fundraiser, then candidate for Mayor, and now the City of Providence’s Chief Operating Officer knows a lot about politics, but has no experience in running a city.
Smiley and Elorza’s relationship will be critical to the the new Mayor having a productive agenda.
Smiley has to be careful to serve the Mayor and foster Elorza’s agenda. As a consultant he had many masters. As a candidate he had many plans, now he has to be staff.
2.
Luis Aponte - City Council President
Aponte was first elected to the Providence City Council in 1998. He is one of the first Latino candidates ever elected in Rhode Island and the true trailblazer in Providence when he was elected as Providence’s first Latino member of the City Council.
Aponte is seen as thoughtful and progressive. During the course of his tenure he has often been the bridge between the neighborhoods and downtown.
With nine votes on the Council, Aponte can at a minimum share with Elorza setting the City’s agenda.
1.
Jorge Elorza - Mayor of Providence
The former RWU Law Professor and Housing Court Judge is facing a tremendous number of difficult and complex problems:
- Budget shortfall
- Poor performing schools
- One of the highest commercial tax rates in the nation
- Concerns about crime
- Decaying city infrastructure
- Unfunded pension liability
