TORONTO — Ontario's largest school bus driver union is warning the government a full reopening of schools will be jeopardized if it fails to consider drivers in its plans for a return to classroom instruction.
Unifor says the government's engagement with bus drivers has been minimal to date.
In a statement Wednesday, national president Jerry Dias said "This situation must be addressed before there can be a return to school in September. A full reopening...is at jeopardy."
The statement noted that Education Minister Stephen Lecce has said "all stakeholders" are important to the reopening of the school system.
"School bus drivers are critical to student transportation, and doing it in a safe manner with new protocols in place is of the highest concern for these workers," said Unifor Ontario Regional Director Naureen Rizvi.
The union pointed out that school buses are not designed the same as transit buses.
They carry up to 72 primary students, with just one access door located close to the driver, and "seats are designed in compartments with multiple students to a seat separated by a narrow aisle from students across," it said.
The union added that many drivers are retirees, and the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 without proper training, social distancing regulations, and regular sanitization of buses may prevent drivers from working.
Unifor, however, has more than safety on its mind.
The statement also raised the issue of retention payments, a provincial program that rewards drivers with near-perfect attendance throughout the school year.
According to the union, the government has failed to make the $1,000 bonus cheques available to qualifying drivers for the September 2019 to December 2019 period.
The second $1,000 payment period, which ran from January 2020 to June 2020, was interrupted when schools closed in March.
Unifor said administrators still have not told drivers if they will be paid for this period.
It wants Premier Doug Ford to commit to full payment for the incentive program.
The union said that, without the bonus, some drivers may not return, thereby exacerbating the industry-wide driver shortage.
"With the risk of fewer drivers returning, combined with social distancing potentially facilitating the need for additional buses and drivers, Unifor warns of a looming shortage without immediate intervention by the Ford government," it said.
Unifor said it it speaking out not just for its own members but also on behalf of the thousands of non-union school bus drivers across Ontario.
It called for "a serious discussion" with drivers about the safety precautions that will be implemented in September.
