Teamsters, Durham meet but fail to reach an agreement to end bus strike

Teamsters Local 959, representing the Mat-Su school bus drivers, and representatives from Durham School Services met twice this week, but failed to reach an agreement that would see drivers return to their students and their routes. A third, previously scheduled negotiation set for Wednesday was cancelled by Durham.

“Unfortunately, Durham did not come to the table with any offer and they were not willing to negotiate,” said Local 959 representative Patrick FitzGerald, who added that after less than an hour at the negotiating table, Durham went into caucus and never returned.

Details were not disclosed, except to say that Durham has not moved off of their “last best offer,” resulting in the strike.

In a statement released by FitzGerald, future negotiation dates have not been scheduled as of Thursday evening.

In an earlier interview with Kelsey Taylor, representing and coordinating the striking bus drivers, Taylor said that the Teamsters are willing to meet anytime.

“We’ve let them know we’re available day, night, weekend, anytime.”

School bus drivers have now been on strike since January 31, after negotiations failed and an earlier vote to strike, with 98% of the union passing the authorization.

When asked how long the drivers are prepared to remain on the picket lines, striking bus driver Cecil Lambert said, “I know for myself, and everyone, we’re prepared to do what it takes. What we want to do is get back to work.”

Lambert and Taylor thanked the community for their support and the unity they have witnessed as the strike continues.

“The power of unity cannot be overstated enough because there’s so much that can take place. That’s why it’s important that we’re all involved in this-the school bus workers, those in the community, the parents, teachers, school workers, the school district, the administration-it’s going to require all of us, and that’s where the unity comes in. We’re seeing that on a regular basis down here,” said Lambert.