School Bus Drivers Return to Bargaining Table Monday

A strike seems like less of a possibility as negotiations wrap up Thursday between unionized school bus drivers and the company contracted by three South Carolina school districts. 

Teamster Local 509 released a statement Thursday saying they "will return to the bargaining table with the company on Monday to continue negotiations."

Beaufort County School District, Charleston County School District and Dorchester County School District Two bus drivers have all authorized a strike after negotiations had faltered between them and Durham School Services this month. 

Teamsters credit the strike authorizations for helping move the negotiations forward. 

Durham School Services also released a statement saying: "At this time, Durham School Services is still in active negotiations with Teamsters Local 509. There is no official update at this time, but we will be certain to keep you informed as further progress is made." 

Late last week, Charleston County and Dorchester County school districts asked parents and the community to prepare for a strike and a major disruption in student transportation. This week, Durham and the Teamsters continued negotiations Tuesday through Thursday. 

Durham has said the negotiations are based on salary, where the Teamsters are asking for an 8 percent raise, but the company is only offering a 3 percent raise. In previous statements by Teamsters, workers are seeking a "fair contract from Durham that values their hard work and secures decent and safe working conditions in transporting area school children."

To read more on the school bus strike, click here.