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Parents should have backup transportation plan 9 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 27, 2009 Continued from page 1 Education Act, it states that school boards may (but do not have to) provide transportation services, so in the event there is a strike, we inform parents to try to make some sort of contingency plan." Flyers about the possible strike were sent home late last week with affected students, according to Lacroix. She said if the drivers go on strike, bus cancellation information will be made public using radio stations,the Halton Student Transportation Services' website at www.haltonbus.ca and its hotline at 1-888-803-8660. First Student Canada is one of three school bus operators serving Oakville and Burlington schools. Schools will stay open even if a strike occurs, said Lacroix. "The majority of the students in Halton elementary and secondary schools actually walk to school," she said. "There are a few schools, predominantly rural schools, where the majority of the students are transported. But in the urban areas, predominantly the schools are walk-to." Students in half-day junior and senior kindergarten programs will have a way home at lunch, if they are on First Student Canada or not, she added. "Those (noon hour) routes will be reassigned," she said. The First Student Canada bus drivers and mechanics with CUPE 2177 have been without a contract since Aug. 31, 2008. Mediation talks were held last Thursday, with First Student Canada putting forward its final offer. Currently, the drivers make an average $50 a day for five hours of work. CUPE would like to see that number increase to $56.60. The latest offer from First Student Canada is approximately $52.80 per day. "They only work nine months a year, so it is one thing to get paid minimum wage and work all year, but it is another thing to get paid minimum wage and get paid to work parttime for nine months of the year," said Barbara Wilker-Frey, "It is not a regular occurrence, I actually couldn't tell you when the last strike was." Karen Lacroix, general manager, Halton Student Transportation Services The impacted bus drivers do not have benefits or a pension. These requests were dropped to focus on a wage increase, according to Wilker-Frey. CUPE has expressed concern the $10 million from the Ontario Ministry of Education allocated for wage increases for bus drivers in 2008 hasn't yet made its way to the drivers. She added she knows a strike would inconvenience parents, but drivers need to stand up for decent wages. Bus driver strikes are uncommon in Halton, according to Lacroix. "It is not a regular occurrence, I actually couldn't tell you when the last strike was," said Lacroix. "We continue to be hopeful they will reach a settlement." CUPE national representative. "Because of low wages, there's a big issue with driver retention and that affects student safety. Because we don't have regular drivers, doing regular routes, because of high driver turnover, they aren't as familiar with the routes or the kids. Our push to get decent, fair wages is to increase driver retention, and therefore increase the safety for the kids." A spokesperson for First Student Canada said he hopes the drivers will accept the offer. "I think the offer we extended last week that they are taking to the membership for a vote is fair under the circumstances," said Garry Gosling, First Student Canada general manager. "We're optimistic." 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