Bus drivers brought transportation for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (WS/FCS) schools to a full stop.
On Monday, Nov. 25, 23 bus drivers called out for the day — their absence affected approximately 60 different routes in the district. The next day, 36 drivers called out, impacting about 125 routes.
The Winston-Salem school bus driver’s strike was motivated primarily by three factors: lack of behavioral control policies, low wages and absence of communication from the school district. After a week of striking, an agreement was reached between bus drivers and district leaders that addressed each concern.
Behavioral Issues
A primary motivation behind the strike was the lack of behavior regulation for children. Drivers had to deal with the children while actively driving, creating a potential safety risk and adding to their many responsibilities.
The new agreement included a new protocol for behavioral expectations on the bus. The updated district code of conduct will enforce stricter consequences, such as bus suspensions, to address ongoing issues.
Jamie Hairston, a bus driver with over 30 years of experience in the district, opted to shift from a full-time position to part-time work a few years ago, citing increasing stress as a major factor. In an article for The Winston-Salem Chronicle, she reflected on her concern for lack of behavioral control.
“When I first started it was an enjoyable job,” Hairston said, “but as time went on and the behavior just kept getting worse, I just couldn’t do it full-time anymore.”
Wages
Another important factor was pay. The hourly wages for the bus drivers ranged from $16.69 to $27.23. Although the school board stated that the drivers received a total pay raise of 11% over the last two years, the bus drivers argue that their wages do not reflect the challenging working conditions they face.
Another section of the agreement reached was additional pay clarity. The drivers will now be getting paid based on the number of hours they have worked from the beginning of their morning drive to the end of their afternoon drive. Drivers will also have the ability to view their timesheets and will be provided with a letter detailing their pay rate and assigned working hours.
On Nov. 25 in the evening of the strike, Deputy Superintendent Fabby Williams addressed reporters on behalf of Superintendent Tricia McManus. Williams said the district hopes to alleviate driver concerns.
“In terms of salary, there were some things that the bus drivers specifically mentioned, in reference to their check stubs and things of that nature,” Williams said. “Those are some low-hanging fruit, things that we can address immediately.”
Lack of Communication
A third concern raised by the bus drivers was the lack of communication from the school district. Many drivers were particularly frustrated by the absence of timely updates regarding safety meetings and information about students with disabilities. Crystal Thompson, a school system bus driver who participated in the walkout, said bus drivers value being kept actively informed instead of being merely instructed to follow rules.
“All we need is communication,” Thompson said, “Sit down and talk to us. Don’t just say you’re going to do this. Do it. We are the most important and essential part of the school system. The school system does not move without us.”
In response, the district will initiate monthly meetings starting in January to keep all staff informed. Additionally, drivers will receive important updates via texts, calls, and emails.
In these meetings, they will address concerns and discuss areas for improvement with the Department of Transportation officials and managers.
Superintendent Tricia McManus of the WS/FCS announced that new department-wide meetings will commence in February.
“We apologize that this has happened,” McManus said, “and we’re going to work diligently as a district to make sure that drivers not only have a voice but that we’re addressing your needs as best as we can.”