School Bus Drivers In Anne Arundel County Vote To Unionize

3 years ago 343

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) — Bus drivers successful Anne Arundel County are victorious successful their ballot to unionize.

“We’re precise superior astir wanting a change,” said Mamie Tucker Irving, Bus Driver, Anne Arundel County.

The ballot comes arsenic the region faces a operator shortage. Last week County Executive Steuart Pittman announced currency incentives, $5,000 for some caller and existent drivers. He is besides dedicating much than $4 cardinal of the county’s national betterment funds to these bonuses.

“That is an awesome opening but wherever is the remainder of it?” said Lisa Beauchamp.

But operator Lisa Beauchamp says it’s not enough. School autobus drivers went connected strike past period leaving parents adjacent much desperate.

Beauchamp says until they get amended wage and benefits, drivers volition support leaving their occupation and arsenic a union, she present believes autobus drivers consciousness emboldened to combat for it — together.

“Right present contiguous you tin spell to McDonalds, Wendys, Walmart, Target and get hired and get each those things that we’re not receiving,” Beauchamp added.

MORE NEWS: Anne Arundel County Board Of Education Approves $7.4M School Bus Driver Plan

The national typical says this is simply a large triumph for the employees of the Annapolis autobus institution but it’s conscionable the archetypal limb of a agelong race. They anticipation the institution volition beryllium consenting to bargain with their national moving forward.