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Exclusive: Bus company, staff agree on three-year deal
By Liz Boardman/Independent Staff Writer
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Dattco has come to terms with its South Kingstown bus drivers, monitors and aides. Members of Teamsters Local 251 unanimously ratified a three-year contract on Wednesday, ending nearly two weeks of strike talk.
“This is a really good contract,” said Nancy Richardson, assistant shop steward. “I am proud of all my co-workers for hanging tough and sticking together.”
Cliff Gibson, chief operating officer for Dattco, said the contract includes annual 3.5 to 5 percent increases in pay, an additional paid holiday each year and bonuses linked to driver safety and good attendance. Union members also will be able to contribute to their 401K retirement accounts again, a perk that had been frozen after they unionized in 2001. The contract also includes an additional paid holiday in each year of the contract and an attendance bonus.
The 36 drivers and 26 aides and monitors had been working without a contract since Jan. 1.
While the union dispute is resolved, Dattco still faces issues with the school district. With its three-year contract coming to an end, the school district planned to take advantage of the two-year contract extension written into the 2005 deal. But it did not include a fuel adjustment clause, and Dattco cannot afford to honor it, given the 200 percent increase in diesel fuel costs.
The district went back out to bid but faces new prices from Dattco and rival First Student that are at least $300,000 more than budgeted for fiscal year 2008-09. Last week in closed session, the School Committee authorized Superintendent Robert Hicks to take legal action against the company if necessary.
Hicks was not available for comment.
“We are still in negotiation on that,” Gibson said. “I would expect to see fruition shortly, now that the labor situation is resolved and with the end of the school year nearing.”
Liz Boardman can be reached at boardman@scindependent.com.
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