School bus strike ends

TORONTO, March 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Unifor Local 4268 and First Student Bowmanville have reached a tentative agreement, bringing an end to a three day school bus strike.

"The drivers took a firm stand and as a result were able to reach a deal with First Student that better reflects their true value," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "While this negotiation highlighted the issue of unpaid work the practice remains common in the student transportation sector. Unifor will continue to lead the fight to fix unfair pay structures and other systemic problems in Ontario's school bus industry." 

The tentative agreement covers routes in the Durham, Durham Catholic, Kawartha Pine Ridge and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Boards.

"Driving a school bus has traditionally been a precarious job but tangible gains are being achieved with every collective agreement that Unifor signs, which is why student transportation is the union's fastest growing sector," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. 

Details of the collective agreement will not be released until after the ratification vote, which will take place over the next few days.

"The drivers are truly grateful for the outpouring of support that they received from students, parents and the community during the strike," said Local 4268 President Debbie Montgomery. "Now they are looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and reuniting with the kids."

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor