A union says Richmond Public Schools fired five bus drivers after speaking up about overtime pay at a school board meeting.
- But the district says the firings came after an unlawful strike.
The big picture: It’s the latest in a multiyear controversy over whether RPS bus drivers are being paid overtime for hours they haven’t worked, which an audit found last year has cost the district about $150,000 per month.
- The school bus drivers’ union, LiUNA Local 804, has disputed the allegations.
- It’s a point of contention that’s led contract negotiations between RPS and the union to stall.
Driving the news: The union has launched a petition asking the school board to reinstate the drivers.
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- The union is also considering suing RPS, alleging that the district has violated the workers’ freedom-of-speech and freedom-of-assembly rights, The Richmonder …