Hinds bus drivers met to learn about agreement - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Hinds bus drivers met to learn about agreement

By Cheryl Lasseter - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - All eyes were on the small Teamsters building on Valley Street in Jackson Saturday morning. Our cameras weren't allowed inside, where Hinds County bus drivers gathered to hear more about the tentative agreement reached between their union, and their employer, First Student.

After a week of tension between the two sides, bus drivers in Hinds County went on strike Thursday morning. Fewer than half of the district's 90 drivers took part in the strike. By the afternoon, drivers were no longer seen picketing.

On Friday, Teamsters Local 891 President Willie Smith said an agreement had been reached.

"What we consider a fair and acceptable agreement for the drivers, First Student, the schools," he said.

The Union wants a $2 a day raise for Hinds County drivers, who currently make $10.20 an hour. But drivers we talked to Saturday didn't seem as concerned about a pay raise as they were about the students.

"It's been hectic, especially for the schools, for us too," says driver David Wilson.  "I hope everything can come out positive."

"It's been stressful for me because I love children, really love children, really do, but I joined the Union so I'm supporting the Union," says driver Jimmy Weary.

Hinds County Schools Superintendent Steve Handley said this week the district has been a pawn in a chess game between the two sides.

Union President Smith says informing all of the bus drivers in each area affected will be a three-day process. A vote will be taken mid week, and the ballots should be counted on Thursday.