When parents put their children on a school bus, they want to know that we are experienced, familiar with the kids on our routes, well-trained, and capable of delivering everyone to school safely.

Unfortunately, too many skilled school bus workers in our communities are leaving their jobs because of poor employment conditions. This high turnover can result in:

• Fewer experienced drivers on the roads
• Inadequate training
• Driver shortages
• Missed or late pickups, and
• More student behavior problems.

All of these problems can undermine safety and service—putting children in jeopardy.

"I am lucky to have one of the newer buses, but most of them are hand-me-downs the company can use for up to 20 years. We should have the right to say when these buses aren't safe to go out. We need to form our union because we need to look out for our safety and the safety of the kids we carry to school every day."

TAMMI CAMPBELL
First Student driver
San Diego, CA