2018 DeKalb County School District bus drivers' strike

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2018 DeKalb County School District bus drivers' strike
DateApril 19, 2018 (2018-04-19) – April 23, 2018 (2018-04-23)
Location
DeKalb County, Georgia
Caused by
  • Poor pay
  • Little or not employee benefits
Goals
  • Salary increase
  • Guaranteed leave and healthcare
Methods
  • Sick-out
Status
  • Coalition and DCSD in negotiations
Parties to the civil conflict
Lead figures
Melanie Douglas
Heather Sabel-Sowers		 R. Stephen Green
Eileen Houston-Stewart
Number
900 bus drivers
382 participants

The 2018 DeKalb County School District bus drivers' strike was a strike held on April 19, 2018 by nearly 400 school bus drivers in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. Inspired in part by the nationwide teacher strikes in Republican-dominated states such as West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona, bus drivers for DeKalb County School District planned a "sick-out" to protest low wages and little employee benefits.

About 42 percent of bus drivers in the county participated, causing nearly 60-90 minute delays in students being picked up for school. As a right-to-work state, public sector employees are prohibited in Georgia from striking. The strike resulted in at least 7 bus drivers, particularly ones who helped organize the strike, being terminated of employment.[1]

Background[]

The planned sick-out was in response to ongoing pay cuts and lowered benefits for school bus drivers.[2] Per the website, Indeed, the average school bus driver salary in DeKalb County was $23,000, and the starting pay was around $18,000 to $19,000 per year, which is 23% below the national average.[3]

A day prior to the sick-out R. Stephen Green, the superintendent for DeKalb County School District met with over 300 bus drivers about concerns over pay and benefits. Green said he was committed to improving the pay and working conditions for bus drivers, but did not propose anything further.[4]

The sickout was originally planned for April 19-23, the strike was organized by several bus drivers that went under the labor group name, "DeKalb County School Bus Driver Solidarity Coalition".[5] On April 19, about 380 bus drivers participated of the 908 total, causing nearly 60-90 minute delays for the pickup of students. On April 20, that number decreased to 225. The following Monday, the number further decreased to 63.[5]

Response[]

DeKalb County School District administration[]

R. Stephen Green, the superintendent for DeKalb County School District condemned the strike. Green said "We have been clear from the beginning. We will keep an open dialogue with employees provided they work collaboratively and keep our children safe by reporting to work. Unfortunately, some employees chose another route, and that carries serious consequences." On April 20, seven DCSD bus drivers, that were involved in leading the strike, were terminated of employment.[6][7]

Green claimed the bus drivers in DeKalb County were among the highest paid in the Atlanta metropolitan area. This included pay raises in 2014 and 2015 in the response of longer work days, that drivers receive benefits despite being part-time, and that the county provides a Transportation Leadership Academy to offer career advancement for bus drivers.[5]

Threats of a second strike seemed possible as the Coalition demanded the fired employees be granted their employment back. On April 26, Green said he would host a meeting with the DeKalb County School Bus Driver Solidarity Coalition to discuss a plan to improve pay and working conditions for bus drivers.[5] Leaders of the Coalition said that Green did not invite the leaders of the Coalition and hand-picked bus drivers to shift the dialogue in his favor.[5]

DeKalb County School District parents and students[]

On May 2, 2018 a change.org petition formed from the parents of DCSD urging Green to reinstate the terminated drivers.[8]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Wilson, Lori (April 20, 2018). "At least 7 bus drivers fired over DeKalb schools 'sick out'". WSB-TV. Cox Media Group. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  2. ^ Steuart, Shelby (April 26, 2018). "DeKalb bus drivers strike for better pay, get fired immediately". bettergeorgia.org. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "DeKalb County School System Bus Driver yearly salaries in Georgia". Indeed. Recruit. March 10, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  4. ^ Morgan, Valerie (April 20, 2018). "DeKalb County School District fires seven involved in bus strike". ocgnews.com. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Bus drivers in DeKalb County demand their jobs back". WGCL-TV. Meredith Corporation. April 26, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "More school buses on roads on day 2 of sickout". WAGA-TV. Fox Television Stations. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  7. ^ Terrell, Ross (April 19, 2018). "DeKalb County School Bus Drivers Protest In Sickout". WABE. National Public Radio. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  8. ^ Sabel-Sowers, Heather, Dekalb Parents Supporting Bus Drivers, change.org
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