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that the board adopt a resolution declaring the drivers to be full-time employees so they will be eligible for retirement benfits. She further requested that the board pay the employer’s share of retirement, going back as many years as each individual driver has been employed.
Sutphin also asked that the drivers be given one day per month sick leave for a total of ten per year.
“We’re the only county in the area with no benefits for bus drivers at all,” she said. Sutphin maintained that the drivers need a 12 per cent cost of living raise just as much as teachers do. “The cost of living is going up 18 per cent this year," she said, noting that 12 per cent won’t keep school employees even with the increase. “With nine per cent, we're even further away."
She noted that superintendent William Bloomer has proposed retirement for drivers in the past but that his recommendation was turned down by the school board. Acknowledging that employees must work 30 hours per week to be eligible, Sutphin maintained that drivers qualify because they must remain on call during the entire school day. She reported that Page, Shenandoah and Prince William counties all offer retirement benefits while most bus drivers in surrounding jurisdictions also receive five days sick leave and two days personal leave per year. Other counties, she said, pay a portion of medical insurance premiums for drivers.
“Every county I called has a salary step for their drivers; Sutphin continued. “We feel like we have nothing right now. We feel we deserve a little bit of something,” she said.
Sutphin also asked for
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