May 3, 2008
Progress reported in school bus talks
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After two sessions with a federal mediator, it seems both sides of the table are beginning to see eye-to-eye in the search for a contract between New Canaan Public Schools bus drivers and service provider Dattco, Inc.
“We got closer, but still have to roll up our sleeves and see where both sides can make some compromises to get this done,” Mark Reader, organizing director of the International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades, told the Advertiser Tuesday, the day after the second meeting.
“I feel very positive toward reaching some sort of agreement,” said Dattco Chief Operating Officer Cliff Gibson, calling the process “helpful.”
A third meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12, with John Carpino of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
In the meantime, records are being sought from Baumann & Sons Buses “to find out how many hours people were working,” according to Mr. Reader, under the prior school bus provider. Baumann left with its records, he said, when Dattco became New Canaan’s bus provider last year, he said.
The primary concern for drivers has been the guarantee of a 32-hour work week, which was reportedly rolled over from Baumann for the past year but is now at risk of being rescinded.
The roughly 65 school bus drivers will meet with union heads next week, Mr. Reader said, “to see where we want to go with this.”
“Obviously we’re trying to get closer so we can have a positive settlement, one that will be good for our drivers and will be good for the company too,” Mr. Gibson said — a sentiment echoed by Mr. Reader.
“We’re both working on a positive basis to try to bring this to a conclusion,” he said, adding, “(The drivers) don’t necessarily need to have a mediator to make a settlement.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Abbey issued a letter to parents on April 18, detailing contingency plans in the event of a strike.
More details can be found at ncadvertiser.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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