School bus drivers and dispatchers in the Minneapolis Public School District have unanimously voted to authorize a strike over what they say are unfair and unsafe working conditions amid bus driver shortages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nearly 100 Minneapolis Public Schools bus dispatchers and drivers voted to walk out if a state-facilitated mediation is unable to resolve key issues, including pay and safety concerns, reports KSTP-TV Channel 5 News.
According to a news release from Teamsters Union Local 320, the district "has not offered its seasoned employees adequate compensation or addressed the issues of safety and retention that is desperately needed during this severe bus driver shortage.
“We've got an angry group of drivers,” Brian Aldes, Teamsters Local 320 Union secretary-treasurer and principal officer, said. "We're hoping that the district is prepared to come to the table and resolve the dispute.”"If the district doesn't increase its economic offer and address the other significant issues we've put on the bargaining table we have been authorized to engage in a full-scale work stoppage with active picket lines and ambulatory pickets at the schools," Aldes said.
The first mediation session between the union and district is on Dec. 1. Employees cannot legally strike until 45 days after that.
In response to the union vote, the district issued a statement:
"Minneapolis Public Schools bus drivers are critical partners in supporting educational access to our school community. We are committed to reaching an agreement through the mediation process and are working to ensure that bus service for students is not interrupted."
