Most bus drivers in Calvert County, Maryland, staged a sickout Thursday, following a similar action Monday.
Around 100 bus drivers, out of a total of 134, participated in the sickout, according to Calvert County Supervisor of Transportation and Athletics Kevin Hook.
The drivers are demanding a pay raise, better health benefits and more consistent hours, Hook told WTOP.
This week’s actions follow a protest on Oct. 11 when around 20 bus drivers called out sick, Hook said.
On Thursday, the county opened up virtual learning for all students who are unable to get to school. Students who are late to school will not be penalized.
Meanwhile, the Calvert Board of County Commissioners sent a letter to Daniel Curry, superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools, urging the school system to quickly resolve the impasse so that students can go back to school and bus drivers’ concerns can be addressed.
“Calvert County Government has no control over the employment conditions for the bus contractors and their employees,” the letter said. “However, because the situation continues to escalate, and after learning of the potential for an additional 10-day impact to bus transportation service, both parents and bus transportation employees are seeking assistance from their elected officials in a desperate attempt to resolve this untenable situation.”
Hook said he doesn’t know when the bus drivers will return to work.
WTOP’s Luke Garrett contributed to this report.
