Annapolis, Maryland – School bus drivers and aides in Anne Arundel County voted Monday to authorize a strike, raising concerns about potential disruptions to student transportation as the school year begins. Some 170 members of UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO approved the measure, citing stalled negotiations over health care and wages with their employer, Student Transportation of America. The Anne Arundel County bus drivers strike authorization highlights ongoing labor tensions in the region’s education sector, where contractors handle daily routes for thousands of students.
The vote occurred on the first day of classes for many students, with union members gathering to cast ballots. Ray Lee, special assistant to the president and organizing director for MCGEO Local 1994, reported 98 percent approval in one unit and 88 percent in the other. Combined, contractors Annapolis Bus Company and R.E. Wilson operate 84 bus routes, transporting approximately 7,251 students daily across elementary, middle and high school levels. These routes primarily serve the Annapolis, Arundel, Broadneck, Crofton and South River areas, with 11 additional routes carrying students to nonpublic settings in Baltimore County and Baltimore City. A full Anne Arundel County bus drivers strike could leave dozens of these routes uncovered, affecting families who rely on the service for daily commutes.
Union representatives emphasized that members do not want to walk off the job but seek fair compensation for their responsibilities. Barbara Price, a bus driver, said: “We love our job. We love taking care of your children. We look after your children like they are our children. We just want to be compensated for our work.” Another driver, Sabrina Ugaz, added: “These are precious cargo, and we want to be compensated for it, so I can’t make it on my own being a single mom with my salary.” Lee noted that the workers cover more than 100 routes countywide and prefer to reach a deal without resorting to action. He referenced past resolve, stating: “They demonstrated back in 2021 that, regardless of how their employer treats them, they’re not going to sit there and take it if they believe that they’re not valued or treated with the dignity and respect that they damn well deserve.”
School officials expressed alarm over the potential fallout. In a statement, Superintendent Mark Bedell said: “Whatever the issues that exist between these drivers and aides and their employer, one thing is for certain: Our students and families are on the brink of paying a heavy price for a disagreement that is not of their or our school district’s making. A strike, should there be one, will leave dozens of routes uncovered and students with no way to get to and from school. I have spoken with officials from STA and emphasized to them that even though no strike date has been set, our students simply should not and cannot be pawns in a negotiating game. The changes we have made in our Transportation Division have allowed us to start the last two school years with zero bus driver vacancies and helped to increase academic achievement across our school district. It is imperative that these two sides find common ground quickly to avoid any regression in either of those areas.” Bedell had previously indicated in an interview that buses were fully staffed for the year.
Student Transportation of America, operating through Annapolis Bus Company and R.E. Wilson, responded in a statement: “Annapolis Bus Company (ABC) and RE Wilson have partnered with the Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) for many successful years, and we recognize how critical it is to maintain operational readiness. We are in ongoing communication with AACPS, the Union and our local drivers regarding the recent contract discussions. We understand the concerns it raises for students and families, and our top priority is maintaining continuity of service. ABC and RE Wilson value the dedication of our drivers and the vital role they play in supporting students each day. We remain hopeful this matter will be resolved quickly so we can continue providing safe, reliable services to area students.”
Parents offered varied perspectives on the Anne Arundel County bus drivers strike possibility. Mo Czubba, an Anne Arundel County parent, told reporters: “It would definitely be an inconvenience, but it’s something that I would be willing to do as a way to show support for the school bus drivers. Kind of like a solidarity.” Others described it as disruptive, reflecting the mixed sentiments among families.
This development echoes a 2021 wildcat strike by Annapolis Bus Company employees, which disrupted 92 routes and left students stranded for two days. That action stemmed from similar demands for better pay, safety and benefits, leading to temporary cancellations and prompting county officials to intervene. After the strike ended, the school system proposed incentives, including a five-dollar hourly raise and two-thousand-dollar signing and retention bonuses for drivers. The 2021 event highlighted vulnerabilities in contracted transportation amid a national bus driver shortage exacerbated by the pandemic.
In Maryland, bus driver shortages persist, affecting districts beyond Anne Arundel. Neighboring Prince George’s County has implemented route changes and wage increases to address delays, while Charles County faced uncertainty in recent years due to equity issues in transportation. For Southern Maryland residents in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties, these challenges resonate, as local districts also contend with recruitment difficulties in a high-cost area. Statewide, efforts like expedited licensing aim to bolster the workforce, but labor disputes like the potential Anne Arundel County bus drivers strike underscore the need for sustainable solutions.
Current wage data for school bus drivers in the region shows averages around 23 dollars per hour, with benefits varying by contractor. Job postings indicate ranges up to 43 dollars per hour in some cases, often including training for new hires. No strike date has been set, and negotiations continue, with all parties expressing hope for resolution to prevent an Anne Arundel County bus drivers strike from impacting the academic year.