WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — After holding talks with several bus drivers in a meeting Monday morning, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is "optimistic" that many drivers will return to work Tuesday after participating in walkouts over the last week that have affected hundreds of routes across the district.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools told WFMY News 2 that it invited drivers — including some from a bus driver advocacy group — to discuss their issues and concerns on Monday. While not all of the drivers who have participated in walkouts were present, the ones who were told the district they would come back to work Tuesday.
"We are cautiously optimistic this will ease employee absences," the district told WFMY News 2. "Families should still be waiting for updates from us tomorrow morning as we see whether people return to work."
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools proposed an action plan to the drivers that the district said was well-received. Here are a few aspects of that plan.
- At two meetings next week, the district will give each driver a personalized outline document clearly showing what their pay is per hour and other important compensation information.
- Because of the early-start calendar, the district started prepaying drivers this school year instead of paying them once they submitted their hours. Starting in February, the district said it will return to the normal pay schedule.
- Going back to the classic employee paystub, which clearly shows a driver's hourly compensation.
- Returning to a normal timesheet because the current one caused some confusion among drivers.
As part of a plan to improve communication going forward, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Senior Executive Director of Transportation Tisha Davidson will meet with drivers each month to hear any questions and concerns they might have, the district said.
Drivers have engaged in walkouts, in part, to try and secure better pay. The current pay for bus drivers in the district starts at $16.69 per hour and the average sits between $17.50 and $18.00 per hour.
Monday marked the third day of walkouts and demonstrations by district bus drivers. It started last week when dozens of drivers didn't show up for work the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
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