Arlington school bus drivers continue to demand for better pay
ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Arlington Public Schools bus drivers protested outside Wilson Boulevard Friday morning as they continue to ask for better pay. Drivers are protesting over demands for bonuses, hourly wage increases, and an additional hour within the contracted time.
"We have attended multiple school board meetings in mass numbers, constructed a friendly protest holding multiple media interviews and received no response till this day," protesters said in a release.
A spokesperson for Arlington Public Schools Transportation Department said:
"Our drivers and attendants are valued members of the APS team and we are committed to ensuring we maintain a supportive work environment for our employees. APS has taken several steps to address both compensation and workplace culture. APS pay rates are competitive with other local districts and APS has continued to increase driver pay rates in the past several years, including a 2 percent raise in FY 22 and 4.1% in three consecutive years--FY18, FY19 and FY20. This will also be a priority in the upcoming budget season for FY23.
Additionally, our drivers will receive a bonus on Dec. 6—this is a one-time bonus just approved for all employees by the School Board--$1,000 for full-time staff and a prorated amount for part-time and hourly. The Summer School Bonus referenced by some of our drivers was an incentive APS announced for teachers only; this was never promised to any other employees.
We continue working with our transportation staff to ensure all employees feel supported and appreciated as part of our team."
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According to the protesters' release, they are asking for the following demands to be met:
- The bonuses that were promised by the superintendent yet no one within the transportation department received, as well as the Retention bonuses that it states within Arlington's policies that we are entitled to via the Arlington Policy G-3.2.1 PIP-5
- A $5.00 hourly Raise to place us in positive standings compared to surrounding counties.
- An additional hour within the contracted time. Being paid 6 hours while spending 12 on the premises is inexcusable."
Last month, 7News Reporter Heather Graf covered this issue as drivers protested in between their morning and afternoon routes.
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Arlington Public Schools told 7News last month that the standard workday for bus drivers in Arlington and some other school districts is six hours of pay for a morning shift and an afternoon shift, with a break in between. APS said that's something it's looking into as part of the upcoming budget process for Fiscal Year 2023, but any changes wouldn't take effect until July of 2022 when the new budget cycle begins.
