A row of Durham School Services buses. | Durham School Services
Published on August 5, 2026 at 4:36 pm
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In a move that could hamstring hundreds of Duval County students, unionized school bus drivers threatened this week to strike if they can’t reach a new contract with Durham School Services.
The action came only days before the first day of school on Monday. But Teamsters Local 512 said Wednesday that its representatives will meet with Durham officials against later this week.
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About 275 drivers who serve Southside schools voted to strike in reaction to what the union says are concessions proposed by Durham, Teamsters Local 512 announced.
“Our members have spoken with one voice,” local President Rebecca Cardona said in a statement. Tuesday. “This vote sends a clear message that our members will not stand by while the company attempts to strip away the wages, benefits, and workplace protections that generations of workers fought to achieve. Our members deserve respect, and they deserve a contract that recognizes the vital work they perform each and every day.”
Later Tuesday, schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier seemed to say that a strike had been averted. The school district had checked with Durham and “they have settled with their unions,” Bernier said during a School Board meeting.
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His statement came just after school district officials told Jacksonville Today that Durham had reached a signed extension agreement with the union and district staff were “conducting test routes as scheduled” in preparation for Monday’s classes.
Confusion arose, however, when union spokesperson Lena Melentijevic said there had been no extension, other than one signed last week that expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday.” Then Wednesday, she told Jacksonville Today that a strike would be a “final resort” and Local 512 would meet with Durham on Thursday and Friday.
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Durham is one of two private companies that provide bus services to Duval County’s public schools. Durham also serves students in Arlington and the Beaches, and Student Transportation of America handles bus service to public schools on the Northside, Downtown and the Westside.
Officials at Durham initially called the timing of Local 512’s strike vote “a bit perplexing.” Durham senior spokesperson Edward Flavin said good-faith negotiations have been going on since late June and progress was made even Tuesday.
“The company remains committed to reaching a fair resolution and is working diligently to avoid any disruption to service,” Flavin said in a statement to Jacksonville Today. “Meetings with the Teamsters will continue in order to resolve outstanding issues ahead of the start of school.”
Durham officials did not respond Wednesday to questions about negotiations, referring to Flavin’s comment from earlier in the week. School district officials did not offer any information about contingency plans if a strike occurs.
Local union leadership also said it was preparing to pursue legal remedies such as unfair labor practice charges under the National Labor Relations Act if a contract was not reached, Cardona said.
