Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

My husband just called me and said that on the news the Pickerington Bus Drivers were going on strike against Peterman for failure to negotiate a contract. From what he says the vote was 100 % to strike... any updates from school officals reading this blog?

Any News?

Any news on this subject? I heard the report on the radio this morning but no date for the strike. I have to make arrangements with work and all. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

railway labor act

Since this bargaining unit is covered by the railway labor act, because they are in the transportation industry, they can vote to strike, as they did, but are required by law to go through a 30 day cooling off period, after which the national mediation board can relase them for ''action'' or a strike. This same board can also relase Peterman for '' action'' or replacement workers if they choose this route or other action.

My husband is a teamster and their local voted to go on strike, during the 30 day period, the company approached the union negotiators and offered a contract very close to what the union was looking for and in fact the rank and file ultimately adopted this contract.

In this case, the bus drivers unionized while with Laidlaw, and a contract was negotiated, agreed to and ratified. When Peterman won the bus contract with the PLSD, the dirvers and union had to start over to get a new contract with this company. Apparently, this has not gone well. One would expect that a decent company would honor an agreement that the workers had accepted for similar working conditions... Peterman has had similar labor issues in the past even with non union shops. I would think in this case a union is in the best interest of the drivers, since the company has a reputation of not being labor friendly. I am sure a fair compensation and benefit package could be worked out but probably at a cost to Peterman's profits.

strike possible Monday

Bus Drivers vote on a contract proposal Sunday, if not accepted, strike Monday, letters home from school today...prepare for traffic jams all over district.