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OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 15, 2009 · 16 Strike looms for First Student school bus drivers By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Some parents of children bused to school within the Halton Region may want to begin forming other travel arrangements. Bus drivers for the company, First Student Canada, announced yesterday they are facing a lockout or strike, which could occur as early as Wednesday, May 27 at 12:01 a.m. The 136 bus drivers and mechanics, who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, are citing unfair wages as the source of their discontent. "We've been trying to reach a fair deal for the past eight months," said Dorothy Willichuk, We're Closer Than You Currently, over 550 students residing in Burlington and Oakville take advantage of our daily busing service. THINK CO-ED MONTESSORI, JUNIOR, MIDDLE, SENIOR www.hsc.on.ca | 905-389-1367 | 299 Fennell Ave. West, Hamilton president of CUPE 2177. "Unfortunately, First Student Canada is putting themselves first by refusing to address the issue of fair wages. That's why we are facing a strike deadline." A strike by First Student Canada drivers would impact around 4,000 students attending schools in the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board and the French school boards -- Catholic District School Board/Centre South and the Centre South West District School Board. A recent vote by bus drivers and mechanics ended with 81 per cent in favour of a strike, if a fair deal is not reached. The bus drivers have been without a contract since Aug. 31, 2008. Mediation talks are scheduled for Thursday, May 21. In Oakville, First Student Canada shares busing responsibilities with Attridge Transportation Inc., Stock Transportation Ltd., and Oakville United Taxi. General Manager of Halton Student Transportation Services (representing all four school boards) Karen Lacroix is hopeful a settlement will be reached since there is no contingency plan that could be put in place to bus 4,000 students who would be left stranded. "Based on the number of bus routes that the company has we do not have a contingency plan in place," she said. "They have approximately 110 routes and there isn't an operator out there that could come in tomorrow and give us 110 buses with 110 drivers. So we are hopeful that a strike will be averted and that they will continue to talk and bargain in good faith." Lacroix said it is difficult to give a specific list of what schools will be affected by the strike, since so many of the bus routes are integrated. "A bus may serve up to three schools in the morning and possibly three different ones in the afternoon," said Lacroix. "Potentially, it could be every school in Oakville and every school in Burlington (that's affected). I don't believe it (will be)." CUPE representatives said bus drivers work, on average, five hours a day for around $50. They point out high turnover within profession is normal as a result of these low wages, lack of full-time hours and the absence of benefits or a pension. The group is also angry that a $10 million wage enhancement allocation provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education in 2008 has yet to make its way to the bus drivers. "In spite of the additional provincial funding to resolve the low wage issue, our members have not seen a single penny," said Barbara Wilker-Frey, CUPE national representative. "Where's that money and why has it not flowed down to front-line workers?" First Student Canada General Manager Garry Gosling would not comment on this matter, but did note negotiations are underway and in his view progress is being made. Oakville Yacht Squadron · · · · · Great Summer Fun for Youth Ages 7 and up! 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