The five Richmond Public Schools (RPS) bus drivers who were fired in April have officially been reinstated as part of a newly ratified agreement between RPS and the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 804 (LIUNA).
The group, known publicly as “the RPS Five,” lost their jobs on April 25 after calling out from work — a move that caused widespread disruption to after-school activities. Their termination drew sharp criticism from the community and sparked calls for greater accountability and worker protections. After months of negotiations, both sides have reached a three-year collective bargaining agreement that will run through the 2026–27 school year.
Drivers Return July 1
Under the agreement, the five bus drivers will return to work on July 1. According to a joint press release, the school system and the union are committed to avoiding future disruptions to student transportation services.
“We didn’t expect to start a civil rights movement behind school transportation,” said driver Kimya Williams, one of the reinstated employees. “But we’re here — and we’re grateful to be going back.”
Key Contract Changes
The deal resolves a number of contentious issues that had stalled negotiations since fall 2024:
- Work Hours Adjusted:
Drivers will now have six-hour contracts, instead of eight, to help reduce overtime costs. Salaries will remain unchanged. - Updated Pay for Activity Runs:
Drivers will no longer receive a flat two hours of pay for after-school runs. Instead, they will be paid for actual time worked, including a 30-minute pre-run staging period.
Example: If a driver’s run starts at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:03 p.m., they’ll be paid from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. - Future Raises:
Transportation employees will see a 7% raise for the 2026–27 school year, bringing the average bus driver salary to $51,540 — a 23% increase from 2024.
Reactions from RPS, Union, and Community
Shavonda Fernandez, School Board Chair and 9th District Representative, emphasized the importance of student safety in every decision:
“Our students deserve safe and reliable transportation. This agreement shows a shared commitment to doing what’s best for the children and families of Richmond.”
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras also celebrated the resolution:
“This is a win for RPS, a win for our drivers, and most importantly, a win for our 22,000 students. I’m thrilled we reached a compromise to ensure uninterrupted service this fall.”
Keon Shim, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 804, praised the drivers and expressed optimism for the future:
“These bus drivers are dedicated to serving Richmond’s students. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure safe, timely, and efficient transportation.”
As for the remaining legal matters, Clifton Cummings, the son of one of the reinstated drivers, is still facing a bench trial on August 4 for a separate criminal case. That matter is unrelated to the employment agreement.
