Mat-Su bus strike to continue into next week as talks remain stalled
Talks were held Tuesday and Wednesday, but did not result in an agreement.
What you need to know:
- The Mat-Su school bus strike will continue after bus company officials and the union representing workers failed to reach a contract agreement. Talks are set to resume March 26.
- About 18,000 students are affected by the walkout that began in early March.
- School officials said they are disappointed and will update families on transportation services. A previous bus strike in 2021 lasted more than a month before a deal was reached.
- Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.
PALMER – A Mat-Su school bus worker strike will continue after Durham School Services and the union representing the workers failed to reach a contract agreement this week.
“Negotiations concluded without an agreement, but there was some back-and-forth; nothing substantial was accomplished, so no progress was made,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Teamsters Local 959, which represents the workers.
Officials with Summit School Services, which owns Durham, said they remain committed to reaching an agreement.
"Durham School Services negotiated in good faith, demonstrated flexibility, and repeatedly worked to close the gap," Durham spokesman Edward Flavin said in a statement. "While a few items were resolved, an overall agreement has not yet been reached."
In-person negotiations were held between Durham and union representatives Tuesday and Wednesday, Fitzgerald said. Talks were conducted with the assistance of a federal mediator, they said.
The groups are expected to meet again March 26, a union official told the Mat-Su School Board during a meeting Wednesday.
About 18,000 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District students regularly ride Durham buses to and from school, district officials said.
The bus worker walkout started March 2, about a month after their contract with Durham expired. Negotiations are stalled over issues including pay for some workers, training requirements, bus safety issues, and whether workers must pay out of pocket for additional health screenings.
School district officials say they are disappointed by the news that the strike will continue. They said they plan to send an update to families late this week with information about next week’s service.
A bus worker strike in 2021 lasted more than a month before workers and bus officials reached a contract agreement.
-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com
This story was updated March 18 to include a statement from Durham School Services.