Schools remain open as bus driver strike continues

On Wednesday, the strike by bus drivers and attendants in much of the Mat-Su Borough entered its first full day.

The strike, declared by Teamsters Local 959, began after morning drop-offs on Tuesday.  It comes after a lengthy impasse between the union and Durham School Services.  Durham holds the contract for school bus services in most of the Mat-Su Borough.

The Mat-Su Borough School District held classes at all of its schools on Wednesday and told parents that students who could not attend due to the strike would be able to make up missed work.  Schools in the Northern Valley as well as Glacier View, still have bus service, since those drivers work for a different contractor.

Durham School Services has released a statement to multiple news outlets, including KTNA. It includes some details of the contract offer Durham says was made to Mat-Su employees including wage increases, health insurance plans, and paid leave.  Teamsters Local 959 acknowledged receiving an offer on Monday.  Patrick FitzGerald, speaking for the union on Tuesday says the membership almost universally rejected the offer.

 The statement says the contractor is working with the school district on staffing plans for the coming days.  It also claims that multiple employees have declared that they intend to continue working.

Teamsters Local 959 members initially authorized a strike on January 10^th.  Negotiations had continued until the strike declaration this week.  Durham’s statement says the company intends to continue negotiation efforts.  FitzGerald says union members still desire to reach a contract they find fair.