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DeKalb school bus drivers say superintendent hasn't addressed their concerns

Hundreds of bus drivers staged a massive "sickout" last April.

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- With DeKalb schools starting back in two weeks, a group of bus drivers accused the school system of continuing to retaliate against them after a three-day “sickout” earlier this year resulted in chaos throughout the district.

On Friday morning, a small group of parents, bus drivers and residents held a press conference on behalf of “DeKalb Drivers United,” which is demanding better pay, retirement and safer buses.

Over three rainy days in April, hundreds of bus drivers staged a three-day sickout to pressure the school board to improve their working conditions and wages.

On Friday, the group said none of their demands had been met, and accused School Superintendent R. Stephen Green of fueling "a campaign of intimidation of the workers, allowing harassment by managers of all bus drivers, and moving to remove those bus drivers who have spoken out since through bureaucratic technicalities."

The group is calling for "better pay that rewards experience and keeps up with rising costs of living, a better retirement package, and safer working conditions for drivers and students.

"DeKalb County school bus drivers are among the lowest paid in the state, facing exorbitant health care and living costs, despite not having received a pay increase since 2010," the group said.

Late Friday morning, the school district issued this statement:

"DCSD continues to work with its bus drivers on solutions that address their concerns. Substantial progress has been made through a series of meetings that have led to improvements such as a new merit pay recognition program and increases salaries in the FY 2019 budget. The district remains committed to working with drivers who demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.”

FULL COVERAGE | Some DeKalb school bus drivers fired after Thursday 'sick out'

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