Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News 
Bus drivers picket outside the bus barn in Wasilla on Jan. 26.

Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News Bus drivers picket outside the bus barn in Wasilla on Jan. 26.

Mat-Su school bus drivers strike

  • By Mark Thiessen Associated Press
  • Wednesday, February 1, 2023 2:30am
  • News

ANCHORAGE — Bus drivers in Alaska’s second-largest school district went on strike after delivering students to classes on Tuesday, citing unfair labor practices.

The near-unanimous strike was called against Durham School Services after members received what Teamsters Local 959 described in a statement as the company’s “last, best, final offer.”

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, which has about 19,000 students living in an area the size of West Virginia, lies directly north of Anchorage and includes communities such as Wasilla, Palmer and Talkeetna.

Durham made its last offer Monday evening and drivers rejected it, union spokesperson Patrick FitzGerald said. He added that the union’s lead negotiator was on the picket line Tuesday and the company was welcome to call him.

“We would love for Durham to send us a respectable offer and something that reflects the value of the work that these drivers do, but the ball is in Durham’s court,” FitzGerald said. “We’re waiting for them to send us an offer.”

Durham spokesperson Edward Flavin said in an email to The Associated Press that the company will continue to bargain in good faith, but noted: “Teamsters 959 made the decision to abandon the students at school and then strike.”

He said the company is working with the district on staffing plans and coverage for the school days ahead.

Besides pay, the drivers cited several safety concerns, including inadequate heaters and headlights, nonworking windshield wipers and having to use their phones as flashlights to find their assigned buses in an unlit lot, FitzGerald said.

Flavin said the rejected offer included wage increases of 8% to nearly 14% with additional money in succeeding years. The package also included $1,500 for each employee upon ratification; the choice of seven insurance plans with the company paying 75% of the costs; and daily guarantees increased from four to six hours for drivers and attendants and seven to eight hours for standby drivers.

“We are prepared to meet and bargain with the union to bring an end to this disruption,” Flavin said.

In a message to parents, the district said it was “disappointed to report” the union chose to strike with no advance notice to school officials.

During the strike, parents or guardians will be responsible for getting students to and from school, the district said. Families will also be responsible for arranging travel for school-related activities, including any outside the district.

All schools will remain open for in-person classes, officials said.

“Although this will inconvenience families, Teamsters Local 959 membership asks that the community stand with school bus workers in solidarity,” the union said in its strike announcement.

Durham is facing about $1.5 million in reduced payments from the school district after failing to meet contract specifications, including missed routes due to bus and driver shortages, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast for the week of March 18

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A board in the House Chambers at the Alaska State Capitol shows Monday’s vote tally of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140, one vote short of the two-thirds necessary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill

Legislators warn bad blood may hamper other issues as numerous Republicans abandon earlier support.

With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Grocery cards and car repairs: How COVID aid changed the way schools can help homeless kids

Juneau student services specialist among those finding creative ways to provide assistance.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturay, March 16, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, March 15, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds

Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, March 14, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. Threats to the watershed and other sites were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when it issued a decision barring permitting of the Pebble mine. But the Dunleavy administration and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. have taken legal action to try to reverse that decision. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency
State lawsuit claims federal government owes Alaska $700 billion for quashing Pebble mine

The federal government owes Alaska more than $700 billion in compensation for… Continue reading

Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)
New Department of Interior opinion promises to recognize expanded tribal jurisdiction in Alaska

Tribes can exert jurisdiction over allotments granted to individual Natives, opinion states.

Most Read