Drivers of Everett school buses may go on strike

Bus drivers for the Everett School District are preparing to strike as negotiations with Durham School Services falter over wages and medical clearance procedures. The union, which represents about 175 drivers, is pushing for better pay that aligns with other local school districts, where starting wages exceed $33 an hour. President Pete Lamb stated that the next negotiation meeting on October 15 may be the last chance to avoid a strike. The union also contests Durham's reliance on a third-party company, HireRight, for driver medical evaluations, which has resulted in some drivers being sidelined without pay. Lamb claims that this practice undermines the authority of the Department of Transportation's medical clearances.

Although Durham asserts that it is negotiating fairly, the union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint, adding tension to the negotiations. Both sides recognize that backup plans are in place to mitigate service disruptions if a strike occurs. The drivers have been unionized since 2019, but the current contract expired on July 31, highlighting the urgency of the situation.