Dear Editor,
The members of the Windham Southeast Education Association would like to publicly support our community’s bus drivers and monitors who have been locked out by F.M. Kuzmeskus (a subsidiary of anti-union and out-of-town Beacon Mobility, which is owned by the giant hedge fund Audax).
Our Teamsters 597 bus drivers and monitors — who are professionals who put the safety of our students first — are seeking a contract with equitable and timely pay. Kuzmeskus’ decision to cease bargaining, lock out our union siblings and hire out-of-town personnel to drive buses is unacceptable and unfair to the local drivers and monitors that our students and parents trust.
In fact, it’s unfair and unacceptable for our community as a whole.
We ask that F.M. Kuzmeskus return to the bargaining table in good faith and stay there. We ask that they swiftly resolve a contract that will support the essential work of safely transporting our students to and from school.
We ask the community to contact Travel Kuzmeskus and urge them to return to the bargaining table in good faith for a swift resolution. Additionally, please contact our school board to voice your concern in regards to our contracted bus provider. The safety of our students demands no less.
In solidarity and on behalf of the Windham Southeast Education Association,
Matthew Betz, Windham Southeast Education Association president
Brattleboro
