IPS Reaches Agreement with Bus Drivers Union
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Public Schools and the union representing school bus drivers have come to terms on an agreement that will keep buses running through the end of the school year.
Our partners at WISH-TV report IPS and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees worked out a short-term deal that provides additional benefits to drivers for the remainder of the 2019-20 year, including transition assistance.
The IPS Board of School Commissioners is expected today to sign and ratify the Memorandum of Understanding, according to WISH.
Tensions came to a boiling point last month when dozens of AFSCME-represented drivers called out sick.
In January, the district announced it was changing companies that provide bus service for students. In February, the drivers were told they were losing their jobs and would have to reapply with the new vendor, First Student Transportation.
The MOU guarantees no bus service disruptions for IPS schools. In return, the drivers will receive transition assistance and bonuses.
“This agreement should provide relief to our families who were left to wonder how to transport their students to and from school during our disruption in service,” said IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson in a statement.
The new bus service begins on July 1.