Several fired and still working bus drivers gathered in front of Dekalb County School headquarters on Thursday to discuss their demands for a better work environment.

Five of the eight divers who were let go one week ago, were back at the district’s offices demanding their jobs back.

The press conference was held a half-hour before Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green was to meet with a hand-full of current drivers.

Also in attendance, parents, grandparents and current drivers who were there in support of fired drivers like Melanie.

“I stand here with the support of hundreds of drivers, parents, students and community members, and I say without hesitation, give us our jobs back.” Said Melanie.

Another driver spoke about the desire to have a safer work environment. She told of a co-worker who had anti-freeze leaking in her bus, and claims nothing was done to fix the situation.

I asked one of those current drivers who, didn’t want his name revealed, if he was afraid of loosing his job by supporting these fired workers.

“No, I’m not afraid of loosing my job, because anytime you stand up for what is right, there is always going to be a risk that you take.” He said.

When I asked about reports that bus drivers are among the highest paid in the metro area Joel Edwards with Restore Dekalb explained, they are not not if you count the hours drivers are at the bus barn between their runs.

“So, when you take their salary, and analyze their salary and evaluate it, you’ll find out they’re really not making any money because they have to pay themselves in between [their split shifts].” Said Edwards.

He did have a suggestion for district officials, “If the district would pay these folks compensation which includes what is called ‘spread time’ in between their runs, I think they would be a whole lot more satisfied than what they’re being paid now.”

Parent Heather Sable-Sowers agreed “They’re still stuck as part-time workers, without access to decent benefits, and without a real pay increase in years. School bus drivers deserve to have a living wage, respect at work and the ability to retire with dignity.” She said