No deal reached: Mat-Su school bus driver strike continues

Negotiations continued as the Mat-Su school bus driver strike heads into its seventh week, but still no deal has been reached. In a press release from Teamsters Local 959, both sides neared an agreement, coming as close as they have since they have been negotiating since last summer with Durham School Services.

“Durham's negotiation team made some changes to definitions and how they would implement their HireRight policy, which torpedoed the deal, setting the progress made back significantly. Instead of continuing with the agreed-upon language, Durham has proposed changes to this language that will cause significant and lasting harm to school bus drivers.”

This marks the second time in as many weeks that Teamsters Local 959 and Durham have come close to an agreement, just ending up short due to last-minute changes from Durham, or walking back mutually understood proposals.

Teamsters 959 reports that negotiations continued this week, with both sides meeting virtually, and very little progress made, HireRight being the biggest hurdle for both parties. They also reported that Durham was unable to dedicate more time than the day and a half they met this week, with Durham citing that other obligations took priority over coming to an agreement.

So what is HireRight and why is it an issue during negotiations? HireRight is a provider of employment background checks, drug and health screening, and compliance services, as well as verify a job candidate's background—including education, employment, criminal records, and licenses—for employers to ensure accuracy, safety, and compliance with industry standards.

Alaska school bus drivers have a Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Card, issued by DOT Certified Medical Examiners. Once issued, drivers are safe and legal to drive commercially for any school bus company in Alaska, according to state and federal laws.

According to the Teamsters 959, management at Durham School Services is subjecting its employees to medical testing over and above the DOT Medical Card as a condition of employment and the cost of the required medical visits, testing, and screening is being placed on the employee without any reimbursement or financial assistance. “For a school bus driver who may only make $30,000 a year, unnecessary medical screening could take a significant portion of their annual earnings if they are forced to pay out of pocket."

Teamsters 959 says that school bus workers are not opposed additional medical screening, but contest the cost being 100% out of pocket and fear that it could lead to qualified, experienced workers leaving the Mat-Su to drive elsewhere. “Competent, qualified school bus drivers should not lose their jobs because they cannot afford to pay for unnecessary company mandates.”

Teamsters Local 959 is also attempting to get the safety language outlined in the Mat-Su School District handbook to be aligned in the collective bargaining agreement to enforce safer busing regulations, maintain a minimum number of buses that is required by the district, and provide more thorough training.

This includes, but is not limited to, requiring a minimum number of backup buses that are road- ready to be deployed when buses fail safety inspections, having enough time in the mornings to perform proper and thorough pre-trip inspections while also being on time for student pick-ups, and to make sure the school bus workers are properly trained to put tire chains on when weather conditions call for it.

“Teamsters Local 959 greatly appreciates the patience of the Mat-Su Valley families while we work through this dispute with Durham School Services. We understand and share in the frustration of the community, but we assure you that this agreement will lead to safer, more efficient busing for the community going forward.”

Durham School Services said that they have had productive discussions with the Teamsters. "We are bargaining in good faith and had hoped to reach an agreement...but a couple of items remain outstanding. We are working hard to resolve them and hope to reach an agreement soon."