School bus drivers in Dorchester District 2 have authorized a strike as their contract negotiations continue.
/ FILE
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- School bus drivers in Dorchester District 2 have authorized a strike as their contract negotiations continue.
Drivers in Charleston County voted last week to authorize a strike if negotiations fail.
A private company, Durham School Services, has the contract to provide school bus drivers for both Dorchester District 2 and Charleston County. Most other school bus drivers in South Carolina are public employees and cannot strike.
L.D. Fletcher is presidents of Teamsters Local 509, which represents the drivers in Beaufort and Charleston counties, as well as Dorchester District 2. Fletcher says the two sides are not close to getting an agreement.
Durham has promised to provide an alternative plan if drivers do strike. The state Board of Education on Wednesday will consider allowing Durham to use out-of-state drivers if necessary.
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