ROSEMOUNT, MINN - Bus drivers, chaperones, and crossing guards represented by the SEIU Local 284 in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District have filed for mediation with the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) as they work towards a new union contract as the district faces an ongoing driver shortage. These 260 workers transport and protect kids in the largest in-house school bus fleet in Minnesota and are bargaining a new union contract.

Cat Briggs, a bus driver of eleven years and a steward of SEIU Local 284, spoke out on the group's behalf:

"The district knows we are facing a driver shortage, and they are still dragging their feet on giving us a fair offer. After eight bargaining sessions, they have never increased the total money on the table. We're losing drivers, and it's just getting worse."

These workers start their days before sunrise and often end them after sunset. Despite this critical responsibility, the district continues to lag other metro districts in fair compensation, resulting in a crippling driver shortage. In the last year, the district has had to pay out tens of thousands of dollars in overtime to individual mechanics to drive buses and has still had to cancel some routes on short notice.

Drivers in the district start at $24.15 an hour, while comparable districts like Edina, Richfield, and Eden Prairie begin around $26. After eight bargaining sessions, the district's best offer is $25.50 for starting pay. Bus drivers call this offer insufficient and, therefore, after another unsuccessful bargaining on Wednesday, October 29, voted to move to mediation.

SEIU Local 284 represents 10,000 support staff in K-12 schools across Minnesota, as well as adjunct faculty members at colleges and universities in the Twin Cities area.