$74M School Bus Contract OK’d; Pfc. Craig Remembered

The Board of Aldermen approved a delayed contract for school bus drivers — without suffering a feared spike in the cost — and paid tribute to the first New Havener killed in the Iraq War.

With majority leader Katrina Jones making the motions, the BOA approved the $74 million contract between the Board of Education and First Student, Inc., which transports most of New Haven’s 17,200 students to and from public school. The contract, which is to run for five years, had been tabled in a close vote by the board on June 5 to provide the drivers’ union, SEIU, additional leverage in their negotiations with First Student management. With more than 20 alders present — 16 are needed for a quorum — the voice vote Wednesday was unanimous.

p(clear). Fears that delaying approval would result in an altered or withdrawn contract offer did not materialize, according to Robin Golden, the school system’s chief operating officer (pictured chatting with Alderwoman Frances Bitsie Clark). She and the alders attended a pre-vote public meeting and were assured that the ​“specs” on the originally proposed contract from First Student were completely unchanged and that they would be voting on an identical contract offer.

p(clear). On the other side of the issue, labor-leaning alders, such as Migdaglia Castro (pictured on the left with Alderman Gerald Antunes and BOE Transportaion Director Teddi Barra) were also sanguine. Many of the drivers live in Castro’s district. Yet she was not sure how the negotiations between the union and management were going. Three weeks ago, the delay was sought as the drivers hashed out issues of sick days and especially the high expense of health care.

p(clear). However, the union signaled to supporters that it had no problem with their management proceeding with the vote tonight. Because the negotiations were ongoing, no specific information was available as to any movement on health care costs, salaries, or sick days that might have been achieved as a result of the delay. Whatever leverage or stronger place at the table, if any, which the delay might have afforded, was not yet apparent.

p(clear). Teddi Barra concurred. ​“The drivers and management,” she said, ​“are still at the table, talking, and they have agreed to have a mediator. Things seem to be going well enough. I know a lot of the drivers. I mean they’re awfully nice people.”

p(clear). Golden breathed a sigh of relief at the approval. The BOE’s current contract with First Student expires on June 30.

p(clear). In other news emerging from the brief special meeting, Alderman Jorge Perez asked for a moment of silence to honor the memory of Andre Craig, of Rosette Street, in the Hill. Craig, is apparently the first New Havener to be killed in the Iraq war. Alderman Perez said that while he didn’t know Specialist Craig personally, he knew of the family. ​“I dropped by earlier today to pay my respects,” he said, ​“but the family wasn’t home.”

p(clear). Craig, who leaves behind a baby daughter, was a graduate of Roberto Clemente and Wilbur Cross, where, during Tuesday’s graduation another moment of silence was observed.

p(clear). Give sympathy to the family,” said Perez, ​“and for those of you who believe in prayers, include them in yours.”

p(clear). Click here to read a Hartford Courant story about Craig’s family blaming the military for his death.