Topeka Bus Workers Seek Union Rights Approval from School Board
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Bus drivers and monitors at the Topeka Unified School District 501 are seeking to form a union.
- The majority of these workers have signed cards seeking representation by Teamsters Local 696.
- Under the Kansas Public Employer-Employee Relations Act, school boards determine collective bargaining rights.
Bus Drivers and Monitors Demand Unionization and Collective Bargaining Rights
Bus drivers and monitors of the Topeka Unified School District 501 are demanding their rights to form a union and initiate collective bargaining, making their demands known at a recent school board meeting.
The workers are seeking the same rights as those of other workers in the City of Topeka and Shawnee County. They believe that fair wages, safe work conditions, and improved benefits can be achieved through collective bargaining.
Local 696 Secretary-Treasurer, Matt Hall, voiced his support. "Topeka bus workers should be able to decide on union representation—we hope the school board grants them this right promptly."
Most workers from the unit have signed cards expressing their desire for representation by Teamsters Local 696. The Kansas Public Employer-Employee Relations Act grants municipal school boards the authority to decide whether their district employees can have collective bargaining rights.
Long-standing monitor at Topeka USD 501, Tamika James believes unionization will validate workers' feelings and promote responsibility, "We seek consistency, stability, and a strong foundation, which we believe Teamsters Local 696 can provide."
Teamsters Local 696 represents various workers throughout Northern Kansas, including public employees, UPS workers, sanitation workers, and school bus drivers.
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