UPDATE: Thursday, Aug. 24, 4:30 p.m.
Tensions are increasing in a labour dispute that threatens the availability of school bussing services in September.
A spokesperson for bus drivers who work for companies contracted by Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario says drivers have suddenly been locked out of an employee portal and STEO is now searching for new bus companies.
In a statement, Frank Healey of Eastern Ontario Bus Operators, called the moves “stunning and destructive.” He believes it’s a sign that 620 drivers are going to lose jobs and families in STEO’s region will have to find other transportation arrangements when the school year starts.
Healey says bus companies are willing to continue negotiations between now and the start of the school year, in hopes for an agreement that offers drivers better wages.
In an email to MyPrescottNow, STEO Chief Administrative Officer Janet Murray confirmed that the company has put out “emergency limited tendering” for routes since no agreement is in place with current operators.
She also said the lockout to the portal was necessary, since “we don’t want operators … communicating to families routing information that is not definitive.”
Earlier this week, STEO released a statement to warn parents of a potential disruption of service, as contract talks, ongoing since March, have yet to yield a result.
STEO oversees transportation services for 30,000 students in a 12,000-square-kilometre area, which includes Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Prescott-Russell.
Tuesday, Aug. 22:
STEO: No contract in place for student transportation this September
If your child takes a bus to school, be prepared to find alternate transportation for the beginning of the school year.
That’s according to Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO), the non-profit organization that negotiates service contracts with bus companies and the drivers they employ.
According to a press release from the organization, staff members have been working to secure transportation for Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) and Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) students since March, but no agreement has been reached.
“Unfortunately,” it continues, “STEO’s latest in a series of offers was rejected by the school bus companies on August 19, 2023, which means that there is a potential for disruption of transportation services at the start of the school year.”
It goes on to say that the bus companies’ counteroffer that “far exceeds” the amount the UCDSB and CDSBEO can afford to pay for transportation.
The release concludes by saying that STEO is continuing to work towards securing transportation for students.
We’ve reached out to STEO’s General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer to learn more about the situation.
