BAKERSFIELD, CA - Some Kern High School District employees say they are in a stalemate with the district.
"Eight years since we had our last raise," said Randy Turner, chapter president of California School Employees Association.
On Thursday afternoon, district employees, many of them school bus drivers, took out their frustration and picketed on the district office sidewalk. Their frustration comes from the seven months of negotiating better pay with the district.
"No progress whatsoever," said Turner.
The district has offered employees an off-schedule three percent, described as a one-time bonus. A deal the negotiating team rejected. What these protesters want is a three-and-a-half to four percent on-schedule raise, an increase of 50 to 70 cents an hour. Labor representatives say classified workers make $14-$20 an hour.
"The thing that hurts us the most is that we see it with other school districts getting their cost of living, other places getting increases in pay," said Ramon Rebeles.
Rebeles has been a school bus driver with the district since 2002 and serves east Bakersfield. Rebeles says his job is more than just driving, it's also looking out for the welfare of the students. "We drive in the evening. We drive at night, with the fog, through the rain, and it's our responsibility to make sure that our children are taken from Point A to Point B."
John Teves with the Kern High School District says negotiations have been amicable which makes the demonstration a surprise. Teves says when funding was scarce they put the employees first.
"The worst we had to deal with was not getting a raise. Minimal layoffs and no cut in pay and no furlough days and no shortening of the school year. Our health benefits haven't been touched," said Teves.
Negotiations with the district were once again unsuccessful Thursday afternoon. Members of the association are planning to attend the next school board meeting arch 3rd to appeal.
"Eight years since we had our last raise," said Randy Turner, chapter president of California School Employees Association.
On Thursday afternoon, district employees, many of them school bus drivers, took out their frustration and picketed on the district office sidewalk. Their frustration comes from the seven months of negotiating better pay with the district.
"No progress whatsoever," said Turner.
The district has offered employees an off-schedule three percent, described as a one-time bonus. A deal the negotiating team rejected. What these protesters want is a three-and-a-half to four percent on-schedule raise, an increase of 50 to 70 cents an hour. Labor representatives say classified workers make $14-$20 an hour.
"The thing that hurts us the most is that we see it with other school districts getting their cost of living, other places getting increases in pay," said Ramon Rebeles.
Rebeles has been a school bus driver with the district since 2002 and serves east Bakersfield. Rebeles says his job is more than just driving, it's also looking out for the welfare of the students. "We drive in the evening. We drive at night, with the fog, through the rain, and it's our responsibility to make sure that our children are taken from Point A to Point B."
John Teves with the Kern High School District says negotiations have been amicable which makes the demonstration a surprise. Teves says when funding was scarce they put the employees first.
"The worst we had to deal with was not getting a raise. Minimal layoffs and no cut in pay and no furlough days and no shortening of the school year. Our health benefits haven't been touched," said Teves.
Negotiations with the district were once again unsuccessful Thursday afternoon. Members of the association are planning to attend the next school board meeting arch 3rd to appeal.