School bus drivers to vote on strike mandate tonight

Unifor is seeking full pay for drivers while on the clock

Unionized drivers of a school bus company with routes in the city and county may be voting on a strike mandate Thursday night.

Campeau Bus Lines is one of five carriers used by Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO), which co-ordinates busing for area elementary and high schools.

It employs more than 200 people unionized under Unifor Local 4268 who’ve been without a new contract since October.

Unifor members are meeting Thursday night to decide how to move forward, Local 4268 president Debbie Montgomery said.

If a deal is reached before the meeting, workers can vote on it. If not, Unifor will be asking its members if they want to strike.

“That doesn’t mean we’re going on strike,” Montgomery said.

“That is the membership saying, we’re standing by our demands.”

In the event of a strike, parents and the public will be given 72 hours of notice, the amount of time required by law.

Unifor will, however, give more notice if possible, Montgomery said.

“If we can better that notice for the benefit of the parents to make arrangements, we will certainly try to do that.”

Unifor has been in negotiations with Campeau since October.

The union is asking for better working conditions and compensation for all driving time, not just when kids are on the bus.

Right now, the clock starts when drivers hit their first pickup point and when they drop off the last student.

Unifor wants drivers to be paid from the time they start work in the morning until the time they park the bus after drop-offs. That goes for the afternoon runs, too, Montgomery said.

During winter months, drivers should also be paid for the time it takes to clear the vehicles of ice and snow.

“We want time spent at work paid, just like any other person.”

The union’s other concern is wages.

People employed by Campeau are being paid minimum wage in an industry that carries great responsibility, Montgomery said.

“I think parents would feel a lot more comfortable knowing they’re putting their kids in the hands of well-paid, caring professionals.”

A strike isn’t ideal for Unifor, students or families, Montgomery said, but it’s imperative that drivers be recognized for the important work they do.

“We take our jobs very seriously. We have relationships with parents and children, so this would not be something we do lightly.”

STSCO oversees student transportation for Kawartha Pine Ridge District School

Board, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic School Board and Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir.

Campeau wouldn’t say exactly how many bus routes the company manages in Peterborough city and county, nor could anyone be reached for comment.

Unifor Local 4268 members also drive for schools in Orono, Cobourg, Port Hope, Brighton, Bowmanville, Oshawa, Ajax and Whitby.

STSCO released a statement Wednesday encouraging families of students who ride Campeau buses to check the STSCO website often and stay tuned to local news media. It also recommends having alternative plans for getting kids to school in case of a strike.

Unifor and Campeau are still at the table at this point, Montgomery said, which she says is good news.

“We’re still talking right now and that gives me hope.”