| | Circuit Court issues injunction against Unit 5After two days of court proceedings, Circuit Court Judge Scott Drazewski issued a preliminary injunction stopping Unit 5 from their ability to dismiss Unit 5 bus drivers and monitors until the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board has the opportunity to hear the unfair labor practice charges filed by the American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees (AFSCME), the union representative for Unit 5 bus drivers and monitors. This resulted in the currently anticipated August 17th dismissal date being null and void and Unit 5 wages and benefits continuing until the labor board hears the case, makes a decision, and, if appropriate, a remedy is rendered. The labor board hearing is scheduled to begin August 20th and is anticipated to last a few days.
However, Unit 5 intends to appeal to the appellate court regarding the injunction. They will be seeking a stay (overruling the preliminary injunction) to continue the process of converting to First Student and discharging Unit 5 employees.
As the beginning of the school year nears on August 22nd, tensions continue to run high as much uncertainty remains. First Student is trying to get members to accept employment offers, and both Unit 5 and First Student are being vague when asked about what this means for their remaining Unit 5 employment. Members are staying strong and standing up against the subpar treatment by both employers now involved.
|
