EDUCATION

Bus Drivers' Fight for Clean Buses

Wed Feb 12 2025
School bus drivers in Central are demanding better conditions. Their buses have become playgrounds for raccoons overnight. They are fed up with having to deal with messes left behind by these animals. These drivers are tired of being asked to clean up bodily fluids, like blood and vomit, with nothing more than cat litter and wipes. Drivers are forced to clean up messes left behind by raccoons who sneak onto the buses at night. They are not provided with any cleaning supplies. Imagine trying to transport young children on a bus that hasn't been cleaned properly and is infested with raccoons. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) met with First Student to discuss these issues. The meeting was set to start negotiations for a new contract. The First Student management wanted the cameras turned off before they wouldenter the room. The drivers are also upset about their pay. They claim they are not getting the minimum hours of work they were promised. The First Student website claims that drivers are guaranteed a minimum of 27. 5 hours per week. But First Student representatives denied this guarantee. The ATU is also demanding accountability from the school district. They want the district to make sure that the buses are clean and safe for students. The negotiations are expected to continue for the next few days. The situation is getting out of hand. The drivers are not getting the support they need. They are worried about the health and safety of the students. The longer this situation goes on, the more likely it is that students will get sick. The school district needs to step up and make sure that the buses are clean and safe for students. They need to make sure that the drivers are getting the support they need.

questions

    Is the raccoon infestation a front to cover up more serious issues within First Student's operations, and if so, what are they? Some might be loose screws.
    How can technology and safety protocols be improved to prevent sanitation-related issues in the future?
    Can the school district afford to make raccoon repellent a major budget item?

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