Districts; Teamsters To Discuss Bus Driver Strike

    Hinds County school bus drivers will be on the picket lines Friday, but say they’re taking steps to continue negotiations with their employer.
    Teamsters Local 891 have scheduled a meeting Friday morning with First Student bus company as well as representatives from the Yazoo, Clay, Madison and Hinds County School Districts.  It’s unclear if Hinds County Superintendent Dr. Stephen Handley will attend the meeting; the union wants him to play a role in the negotiations. 
    “I believe the county should have gotten involved at this point to put pressure on first student to resolve this problem,“ said union president Willie Smith.  “This local reached out to Mr. Handley four times within the past two weeks. 
    “He never returned a phone call.“
    During a special news conference with the media, Handley told reporters, “We have purposefully stayed out of the negotiations because we have nothing to negotiate with.“
    Smith believes some of the blame for the strike falls on the shoulders of Handley.  He is also concerned many substitute drivers filling in during the strike may not be qualified.
    “We were told by some of the teachers and coaches that were forced to drive today that they were told to pick up as many kids on the bus as you can, and get them there as fast as you can,“ he said. 
    First Student says the company has continued to negotiate with the union in good faith and that the strike is counterproductive.
    In a written statement the company says, “We are extremely disappointed the union chose to strike in Hinds County today.  Not only does it show disregard for our scheduled negotiation meeting, it also puts unnecessary pressure on parents.“
    The dispute over pay and benefits is between the company and the union drivers.