School Bus

The 55 school bus drivers of Local 510 working for the Chateauguay-based carrier Ro-bus went on strike on January 24 to demand better working conditions.

A formal strike notice was filed with the employer and the government on January 12, indicating that the strike would be called if no satisfactory agreement was reached by 00:01 on January 24.

Unifor welcomes 35 school bus drivers and mechanics at First Student Bus in Prescott, Ont. as the group voted overwhelmingly for certification by 92% on Dec. 13.

“Congratulations to our new members at First Student Bus who have chosen Unifor to represent them,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “School bus operators are an integral part of the public education system with important responsibilities, and we look forward to bargaining your first agreement.”

Certification by the Ontario Labour Relations Board is pending.

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in Cornwall and Embrun, Ont. – have resoundingly ratified their new contract by 95%.

“Congratulations to the bargaining committee for staying strong and fighting for a good and fair deal for our members,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. 

TORONTO – Unifor members of First Student Bus – which provides school bus services for English and French language schools in the Cornwall, Ont. region – voted 94% in favour of strike action on Nov. 14.

“School bus operators are an integral part of the public education system with important responsibilities and yet they continue to be paid less than other professional drivers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “They deserve decent pay and working conditions and the union is determined to fight for them.”

Members of Unifor Local 510 working for Autobus Longueuil in Longueil, Que. went on strike beginning March 21.

The Centre de Services Scolaires Marie-Victorin is the main client of the school bus company Autobus Longueuil inc. The South Shore of Montreal, in particular Longueuil, is impacted by this ongoing strike.

"It's really sad because about 5,000 students are deprived of school transportation," said Jean-Yves Filion, National Representative for Unifor Quebec.

On World Toilet Day, November 19, Unifor renews its call for employers and governments to ensure all workers have access to safe sanitation at work.

“Safe sanitation at work is about dignity,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President and ITF Board Member., “Workers and workplaces are diverse, so every employer must take steps to ensure sanitation facilities are clean, appropriate and safe to meet the individual needs of workers.”

OWEN SOUND —School bus drivers represented by Unifor Local 4268 have reached a tentative agreement with First Student Owen Sound, Kincardine/Port Elgin.

“As the leading union for Ontario’s school bus sector, it’s important that Unifor continues to raise the bar for these critically important workers,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “These negotiations were protracted and I thank the bargaining committee for their dedication in securing a tentative agreement for our members.” 

OWEN SOUND —School bus drivers at First Student have voted overwhelmingly to support strike action if negotiations with the company fail to produce a new collective agreement.

“This is a job with tremendous responsibility, not a hobby, but companies continue to ask drivers for a full-time commitment for a part-time pay,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “It’s time for these drivers to be treated with the respect that they deserve.”

TORONTO–Unifor school bus driver members have achieved wage gains and improved guaranteed hours in a new three-year collective agreement with Stock Transportation. 

“This new contract addresses key priorities for our drivers, including wages, paid time for pre and post trip duties and fairer scheduling,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.

The 500 members of Local 4268, who predominantly provide transportation services for special needs students in the Toronto area, voted to ratify the new contract on May 10, 2022.

TORONTO–Unifor Local 4268 has reached a tentative agreement with Stock Transportation on behalf of 500 school bus drivers in the Toronto Area, averting strike action. 

“I congratulate the bargaining committee on negotiating a tentative agreement for these frontline workers who provide such a vital service to students across Toronto,” said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi. “As Ontario’s school bus driver union, Unifor will continue to address key issues including wages and uncompensated duties and to work to raise standards for drivers across the sector.”