RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond City Public Schools (RPS) and the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 804 have finalized terms for a collective bargaining agreement concerning the school district’s Transportation Department employees. This development was announced at a press conference.
A key aspect of the negotiations involved RPS agreeing to reinstate five bus drivers who were dismissed on April 25, 2025, following call-outs that resulted in the cancellation of afterschool activities. These drivers are set to return to their positions on July 1. Both LIUNA and RPS aim to prevent further disruptions in school transportation services, ensuring students can travel to and from school reliably.
The newly established three-year agreement will last until the end of the 2026-27 academic year. It addresses two main issues that had stalled discussions since fall 2024, both related to overtime pay structures. Bus drivers will now work under six-hour per day contracts instead of eight-hour ones, aiming to reduce overtime expenses while maintaining their current salaries.
A new system for activity runs has been agreed upon by LIUNA Local 804 and RPS. Under this system, drivers will be compensated based on actual hours worked rather than receiving a flat two-hour payment. The compensation includes a paid 30-minute staging period before after-school activity runs at their hourly rate, with payments made in quarter-hour increments for time spent completing these runs.
Transportation employees are also set to receive a cumulative pay increase over three years: a 10-percent raise in 2024-25, followed by a 6-percent increase in 2025-26, culminating in a 7-percent raise during the 2026-27 school year. By then, the average salary for bus drivers is expected to reach $51,540 annually.
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras expressed satisfaction with the agreement: “I’m delighted we were able to negotiate this compromise agreement to ensure uninterrupted bus service this fall,” he stated. “This is a win for RPS, a win for our drivers, and most importantly, a win for our 22,000 students.”
Keon Shim, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 804, voiced appreciation for reaching an agreement: “Local 804 looks forward to working with RPS and the School Board going forward to ensure safe, timely, and efficient transportation for students,” he remarked. “These hardworking bus drivers want to do their best for the students they serve.”
School Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez emphasized the importance of student safety: “It is our solemn obligation to care for our students from the moment they leave home until they return safely to their caregivers.” She added that this agreement showcases shared commitment among stakeholders focused on student welfare.
Fernandez concluded by acknowledging the collaborative efforts between LIUNA and RPS Administration: “We appreciate that LIUNA and the Administration were able to come to a resolution,” she said. “As a Board, we will always support sound governance that reflects transparency, accountability, and focus on what is best for students.”
