Unit 5 Negotiating New Bus System
By:
Updated: April 12, 2012
NORMAL-Mclean County's
Unit 5 school district is one step closer to solving its bus driver shortage.
Tonight the board voted to begin contract negotiations
with private bus company "First Student." Currently,
students are shuttled to school by union employees. A
shortage of drivers and new routes in a growing district is causing the board
to look at other transportation options.
Bus monitor, Charita Jeffery said, "We do have drivers and monitors that care. We
want our jobs. We're fighting for our jobs."
"It does not mean there is a contract and that any of the
transportation employees will not have a job tomorrow. They should show up to
work. This is just the beginning phase," said Board attorney Curt Richardson.
Unit 5
estimates outsourcing the buses could save more than one million dollars.
