We Stand with Rockford's Bus Drivers!
We are Rockford residents who care deeply about our public schools, and we stand with the dedicated bus drivers who safely transport our children to and from school every day. As members of AFSCME Local 1275, these drivers are more than just employees—they are trusted members of our community who are committed to the safety and well-being of our students.

Rockford Public Schools and the Union are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. Instead of working collaboratively with drivers to address ongoing staffing challenges, the District has proposed outsourcing bargaining unit work.

Last school year, bus routes were canceled because there simply were not enough drivers to cover regular routes, leaving the transportation department unable to absorb even a small number of absences. The District has acknowledged that it did not have enough drivers to fill all regular routes, much less maintain the substitute staffing needed to provide reliable service.

We call on Rockford Public Schools to work with its bus drivers to improve recruitment and retention, invest in a stable transportation workforce, and remove outsourcing from the bargaining table. Together, we can ensure that Rockford students continue to receive the safe, reliable, and caring transportation services they deserve.