Washington University’s three-year contract with Huntleigh Shuttleport, employer of the University’s current shuttle drivers, will expire June 30. With the MetroLink confirmed to be fully functional early next fall, current drivers will be forced to find new jobs.
The same shuttle routes will still exist, but will be operated by Metro buses instead of Huntleigh buses. Metro will take over the gold and red lines, and the blue line will be absorbed into the red line. Huntleigh will still provide the green line as well as the medical escort services.
Lisa Underwood, manager of parking and transportation services at the University, explained what Huntleigh plans to do about the drivers’ jobs.
“Huntleigh told us that they plan to reallocate labor and keep the drivers employed, and they’re hoping to keep all of the drivers. Huntleigh is much bigger than just their Wash. U. contract, with contracts ending and beginning all the time, so they’re confident that the drivers who don’t stay on the Wash. U. contract will be reallocated elsewhere,” said Underwood.
She added that, “We also worked closely with Metro, and they have agreed to give consideration to any driver who is displaced as a result of this change.”
Charles Weinstock, one of the shuttle drivers, is confident that he will retain his job with Huntleigh.
“I think they will more than likely send us to other schools. They have plenty of work for us. They will probably keep some of us, and send others of us to schools like Fontbonne. It’s not like we will be out of work.”
Underwood hopes that other drivers remain as positive as Weinstock.
“It’s my hope that they all stay on, and if they decide not to stay on, whatever the circumstances, we’re prepared to work through Metro to hopefully find something for them,” said Underwood. “Metro is willing to give them an open position because of the new expanded system that they’re putting in place.”
Despite Underwood’s confidence in the job market, many drivers are discouraged and feel pressured to start searching for new employment.
Mike Walker, a shuttle driver at the University for the past eight months, is making preparations to switch job locations.
“I think we will be scrambling to find jobs. I don’t believe what they tell us – I’m going to be out of a job,” he said. “I’m planning to transfer to University of Missouri, St Louis. They told us the same thing they told you, but I still think we’ll be out of a job.”
Similarly, Kim Williams, a shuttle driver at the University since last November, is not optimistic about the future.
“I figure I’ll have to look for another job. I was under the impression that the contract was ending on September 1. The other drivers say they didn’t know about this either. I guess I’ll move to Bi-state, the public bus.”
Williams has four kids, and although her husband works, her family still relies on both incomes.
In the next month, Huntleigh will begin bidding for the fall schedule. Underwood said that by the end of this process, drivers should know more about their standing.
“The drivers will bid on schedules, based on seniority, and then the managers will tell them where they can find a job at the other places Huntleigh has contracts. The process is in transition right now, so I can understand why the drivers are feeling apprehensive about it,” said Underwood.
Drivers who are displaced from their positions will be encouraged to consider seeking employment by the Metro.
“We tried to tell them, at least from the University’s perspective, that if Huntleigh doesn’t have a place for them, Metro will be looking for drivers,” said Underwood. “We have created an opportunity for them to be considered for Metro. It’s a very different kind of job, working with public transportation, from what they’re doing now. But if this is their interest, than it’s a great opportunity.”
Underwood was not surprised, however, that many drivers feel nervous about the upcoming shift.
“I think it’s natural for people to be apprehensive because you don’t know what exactly is going to happen, and when you don’t know, you tend to get worried about it.”
Responding to complaints that drivers were not properly informed of changes, Underwood outlined multiple attempts to address employee questions and concerns. She even cited a memo by Huntleigh, inviting drivers to personally meet with the Huntleigh manager.
“Before we sent out an e-mail about the new program through the chancellor, I, with one of the managers for Huntleigh Shuttleport, set up two public meetings where we told the drivers about this. We wanted them to know about it before we announced it to the public. There were only about five drivers who came to those meetings.”
Still, workers have a right to be uneasy about the status of their jobs.
“There’s always going to be some uncertainty, because Huntleigh can’t tell them for certain where their job will be,” said Underwood.