School Bus Drivers May Strike

The possibüity of a strike or other "economie pressure" in September by the Ann Arbor public schools' bus drivers exists today, f o 1 1 o w i n g the refusal of the Board of Education last night to recognize Teamsters Local 247 as the new bargaining agent for the drivers. By a 3-3 tie vote, the school board failed to accept an administrative recommendation to recognize the Teamsters as the drivers' sole bargaining representative for a 1969-70 contract. The trustees who voted not to recognize the Teamsters gave a variety of reasons - including a statement by Trustee Cecil W. Warner that the "very close" vote of eligible drivers to join the union ( 9 - 1 o - 7 ) "raises doubts in my mind." He asked for a "representative view" of both sides, and said, "I want to know why seven of them voted no." On Aug. 11, 16 of the 20 bus di'ivers eligible to vote decided, by a 9-7 vote, to join the Teamsters. This followed a vote on March 1, 1969, to dissolve the previous bargaining agent - the Ann Arbor Public Schools' 3us Drivers Association, formed 2'2 years ago. Union officials refused to disclose the exact vote at the March meeting, however, saying o n 1 y that a majority approved dissolution. Trustee i Paul H. Johnson said last night this refusal "smacks of chicanerv." Edward L. Kantzler, business representative for Teamsters Local 247, angrily accused the school board today of "defyiag the law" by refusing to recognize and bargain with his union. "We have gone through an election. We have won an election. If they are going to defy the law, we will use all economie pressures that we can to make the school board live up to their obligation of recognizingus." Asked if there was the possibility of a strike, Kantzler replied: "Without a doubt." He said his negotiating team plans to go to the school board offices next week for a bargaining session, as planned. "If they won't sit down and talk to us now, we'll come back and talk in September," ne said. Kantzler says the Aug. n election was a valid one, and that the board is bound by state law to negotiate with the Teamsters. The election was conducted at the school board offices 1220 Wells. School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. said essentiallv the same thing last night: "There is no atlernative (to the Teamsters) because the proper procedures have been followed." He said refusal to recognize the unión would be "bad faith" and probably "unlawful" in the eyes of the State Labor' Mediation Board. Westerman reiterated h i s stand morning, saying the board in his view is "committed" to accept the results of the election. "I think the board wül eventually have to accept the results," the superintendent said. He added that he believed the August election had been a "proper" one. Westerman promised the item would again be on next week's agenda for action, since negotiations for a 1969-70 contract cannot begin until the board recognizes the Tearnsters. The bus drivers' previous contract expired June 30. The Ann Arbor Public School buses transport children who live outside the city and more than l'2 miles from school, children who are assigned to schools outside their attendance I areas and youngsters in special education programs. Voting against recognition of the Teamsters last night were Johnson, Warner and Trustee Ted Heusel. Voting in favor were Joseph T. A. Lee, Ronald Bishop and Charles H. Good. Three trustees were absent. Warner criticized being threatened with the possibility of a strike in September. "I'm against the wall . . . and I don't like to be threatened," he declared. Johnson said he thought it "odd" that detailed information on the March dissolution meeting was not disclosed. "I think we need more informationl bef ore we take the seriousl move" of joining up with thel Teamsters, he said. Paul Linebaugh, director of transportation for the public schools, said today there is always the "possibility" of a strike. But he said the bus drivers have given him "no indication" they would not report for work in September. Linebaugh said he will need about 42 drivers this year, both full-time and part-time. Only about 28 have been hired so far. In related action last night, Warner proposed that the Ann Arbor School System "get out of the bus business" altogether. "I propose to the board that I the administration enter into I discussion with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority t o I establish a plan f or the j ty to handle the busing ofl school children from outside I the city and the Jones School area," Warner said. "We would not relinquish our ty, but the execution would be conducted by a more appropriate agency." (Children in the Jones school area are bused to other schools. Jones was closed three years ago because of racial imbalance.) Warner claimed that a savings of "at least" $72,000 could be realized this year, if the Transportation Authority were to handle the school busing. The 1969-70 school bus budget calis for $372,201. Warner's proposal will be on a .future agenda for discussion and possible action.