West Hartford- On a cold December 8th morning, bus drivers for the West Hartford public schools held a “freezin’ for a reason” picket outside town hall on South Main Street.

In late May, the workers who are employed by First Student, Inc. overwhelmingly voted to join CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, a union representing almost 25,000 Connecticut Service Employees.  Monday’s rally, which attracted about 50 supporters and union members, was a response to the workers having been without a contract for six months. As of Monday morning, First Student has yet to sit down with their employees to negotiate a contract and the United Kingdom based company has canceled the last two scheduled meetings with the union. Some of the concerns that are hoped to be addressed during the talks are pay increases and affordable health care.

“We just want what’s fair” said Sor Flores, one of the bus drivers and organizers on the negotiation committee who hopes to have a contract in place by the end of the year.

For more information visit www.SEIU2001.org