Winnipeg School Division bus driver strike looms

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This article was published 02/09/2020 (1613 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Bargaining woes between bus drivers and the Winnipeg School Division could result in yellow buses parked on the first day of school.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 832, which represents nearly 100 bus drivers in the province’s largest school division, is planning to strike next week.

More than a year after the drivers’ last contract expired in July 2019, contract negotiations have reached a stalemate. The key dispute involves wage terms, according to the union.

Bea Bruske, secretary-treasurer of UFCW Local 832, said the employer is seeking a contract with financial terms that mirror Bill 28 — legislation that attempted to force a two-year wage freeze on public-sector unions in Manitoba and was thrown out by the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench in June. (The provincial government is appealing the ruling.)

Bill 28 proposed a wage freeze for two years, a 0.75 per cent increase the following year, and a one per cent increase in the fourth year.

“We don’t think that’s reasonable, especially at a time when bus drivers are being asked to take on more responsibility to make sure kids are wearing their masks and there’s social distancing happening,” Bruske said Wednesday.

She added the union presented a new monetary proposal it deemed fair Aug. 20, but the employer turned it down and did not return to the table for bargaining.

In a release Wednesday, the WSD board of trustees asked families to prepare to make alternate transportation arrangements. If the picket plans move ahead, approximately 2,300 students will be without a ride to school.

The strike would further complicate school transportation at a time when divisions have already had to cap bus capacity, owing to COVID-19 public health protocols.

School bus service is expected to continue for students transported by wheelchair transportation services.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie