BILL NUMBER: S1018
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to contracts for the
transportation of school children
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill protects school bus workers' wages and benefits during transi-
tions between employers in cities with populations above 1 million. It
additionally prioritizes the hiring of experienced school bus drivers to
ensure high safety standards for students.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends paragraph a of subdivision 14 of section 305'of the
education law.
Subsection 1 is amended to define the section as the first of multiple
subsections, whereas previously it had constituted the complete text of
this section of law.
Subsection 2(i) specifies that when boards of education and contracted
companies engage in contracts relating to the transportation of school
children, such agreements shall include hiring and retention provisions
relating to wage and benefits preservation.
Subsection 2(ii) defines 'contracts for the transportation of school
children' and 'school bus worker.'
Section 2 states that this act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
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.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024 - S. 8980-A - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE/ A. 9650-A
(O'Donnell) amend and recommit to education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.