Buffalo bus aides win well-deserved wage hike

The 600 Transportation Aides of Buffalo ride the school buses every day throughout the city to ensure the safety of thousands of students.

Like all other school workers in Buffalo, they have endured years without raises in a district whose finances are run by a state-appointed fiscal control board. The transportation aides' last contract expired in June 2004.

After months of hard bargaining, the local, led by president Betty Martin, received a unanimous member vote approving their new agreement. The employees will receive an overall 10 percent increase in their hourly wages, which will bring the most senior members to $10 an hour. Most workers also will receive a $200 bonus. The new agreement expires in June 2010.

Martin is now going to focus her energy on the issue of violence against her members. "We've had parents go after drivers and aides," she said. "It's becoming a bigger problem."

She expressed frustration about a recent case in which a parent pulled a gun on an aide but wasn't arrested until two months later. TAB's leaders and members have been working in cooperation with city elected officials and board members to provide a safer work environment for themselves and the children they monitor.

— Bernie Mulligan

Westchester locals lend support for each other

Karen Magee, HAT president, and Kerry Broderick, WPTA president, share negotiating stories during a solidarity night. Photo Provided.

Unity is catching in Westchester County.

The White Plains Teachers Assocation, along with the district civil service union, invited other area unions to a recent solidarity night.

Topping the list of invited locals was the Harrison Association of Teachers, which hosted a solidarity event of its own two months ago.

"We were feeling frustrated for our colleagues, because while we have a contract we certainly identify with our sisters and brothers in neighboring districts who are working without contracts," said Karen Magee, HAT president.

The Harrison event meant a great deal to her members, WPTA President Kerry Broderick said.

"We realized we are not alone with issues from the classroom to our contract," Broderick said. She noted that while her members have been working without a new contract only since June, the climate points to a long fight.

"It's disheartening, as we've been presented with draconian proposals and arrogance as well as no vision of how to deal with budget challenges with an eye toward providing quality education," she said.

The union is fighting for more state and federal aid to keep district programs that will best educate district students and especially help close the achievement gap.

— Betsy Sandberg