First Contract at Haddam-Killingworth Brings Raises of 25%

May 23 – A new contract for 60 school bus drivers and monitors in the Haddam-Killingworth school district in Connecticut has brought major improvements for workers.

“They contacted us, asking for representation,” said School Bus Division Chair Gus Moghrabi, who oversees the Union’s school bus operations. Employees at the company, which is run by the massive school bus firm Student Transportation of America, began meeting last April with Director of Organizing Frank McCann and his associate Karla Kozak to discuss what the Union could offer.

After the Union was recognized on the property as the workers’ representative, negotiations began, with a rank-and-file negotiating committee headed up by Gus, Departmental Vice President Danny D’Amato, and attorney Damian Treffs.

The new, five-year agreement, which is retroactive to September of last year, vaults Haddam-Killingworth to the top in wages and benefits in the region, with average pay hikes for workers of 25%. The agreement guarantees a 25-hour work week, going up to 35 by the end of the contract. A 42-week school year guarantee assures that, even if schools are closed, members get paid.

In the photo, negotiating committee members Donald Frederick and Barbara Lopez hold the contract vote tally, where 43 voted in favor with only one against.