Relates to education transportation contracts

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Robert Jackson says this is needed

This bill addresses the longstanding issue of precarious employment conditions faced by school bus workers in large urban areas where contracts are frequently reassigned. School bus workers' wages, benefits, and job opportunities are currently subject to the discretion of contracted companies. When boards of educa- tion switch contracted companies, the authority to determine wages and hire workers rests solely with the company. These dynamic fosters a race to the bottom, as companies vie to offer the lowest wages and fewest benefits possible. This bill would rectify the destabilizing effects of the removal of the Employee Protection Provision (EPP) from NYC DOE contracts with school bus workers in 2013. The abrupt loss of job security and subsequent erosion of wages and benefits have created a climate of uncertainty among school bus workers. This instability not only impacts the workers' livelihoods but also undermines the reliability and quality of transpor- tation services essential for the function of education systems. This has resulted in a severe labor shortage and has disproportionately affected New York's most vulnerable students who rely heavily on school buses for transportation. The provisions outlined in this bill prioritize the retention and hiring of experienced bus drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and attendants. This not only safeguards the job security of existing workers and ensures wage preservation, but it also ensures that the city benefits from the experience and expertise of its school bus workforce.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.