A union representing bus drivers are accusing Fresno Unified’s transportation contractor with wage theft and sexual harassment.

First Student Inc. operates buses for special needs students on behalf of the school district. At a Monday news conference, union members who work for First Student said the company is stealing their money, and punishing them for speaking out.

Workers said they want to be paid what they are owed.

Monica Apodaca, a bus driver, publicly claimed she was sexually harassed, demoted, and given a negative work evaluation when she complained.

“Our own safety is not a priority for First Student management,” Apodaca said. “Management of First Student needs to listen to our concerns and take them seriously. When drivers are protected, students are protected, and all of our community is well served.”

Union official Riko Mendez called First Student “one of the most penny-pinching employers I’ve ever come across in my 20-year career in labor.”

SEIU filed grievances with First Student about the wage theft allegations. They also filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding the sexual harassment claims. Union spokesperson Victor Gamiz said a police report could follow.

Gamiz said the wage theft allegations include requirements to clock out to complete paperwork and cleaning buses. Employees are owed from hundreds to thousands of dollars, he said.

Bus Operator: We Take Complaints Seriously

First Student said it is “engaged in good faith contract negotiations with SEIU.”

“At First Student, we value our employees, ensuring fair compensation and providing a safe work environment are of the utmost importance to us. The company takes any reported complaint seriously, thoroughly reviewing each one and addressing it appropriately,” spokesperson Jen Biddinger told GV Wire.

First Student said contract discussions will continue next week.

“First Student remains committed to reaching a fair and equitable agreement with SEIU as soon as possible. We absolutely want to provide our drivers with meaningful benefit enhancements and also ensure school bus transportation continues uninterrupted for the families we serve,” Biddinger said.

Gamiz confirmed that SEIU and First Student are in contract talks. However, those negotiations are separate from the allegations.

“Things like harassment and workplace safety concerns go beyond that contract language,” he said.

School Board, City Council Vow to Get Involved

Several local elected leaders appeared alongside union members.

Fresno Unified Trustee Veva Islas said she is concerned and will ask the school board to look into the allegations.

“We definitely do not stand for exploitation. We definitely do not stand or condone sexual harassment. These are issues that are very concerning to me personally, as I have had family members that were bus drivers,” Islas said.

School Board President Susan Wittrup said she informed school district officials, including Interim Superintendent Misty Her, about the bus drivers’ allegations.

“This is not something that we would ever accept from any of our contractors. So, we really do need to get to the bottom of it. This involves our most vulnerable students, and we need bus drivers who are not being harassed in any way or retaliated against,” Wittrup told GV Wire.

Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell spoke at the news conference, saying the city “is looking at this case very closely.”

Earlier this year, the city council empowered the City Attorney’s Office to investigate wage theft allegations.

City Attorney Andrew Janz confirmed to GV Wire that his office is investigating the situation.

In addition, a Fresno Teachers Association official said the union would look into the allegations.

Fresno Unified Responds

After this story published, Fresno Unified sent GV Wire a statement.

“Fresno Unified has had no previous information regarding allegations of sexual harassment or wage theft within First Student. First Student is an independent business and does not have an obligation to report such allegations to the Fresno Unified. However, as a Fresno Unified vendor, we expect First Student to treat its employees fairly and to follow up on claims of harassment and wages violations in a timely and thorough manner and in accordance with law. In addition, Fresno Unified’s vendor contracts include a provision requiring non-discrimination in all of vendor employment practices,” spokesperson Nikki Henry said in an email.

“Since First Student is an independent business Fresno Unified does not have a direct role in any investigations of the complaints and allegations that have arisen. However, because Fresno Unified has an interest in the status of vendor employees who serve our staff and students, we will communicate with First Student to keep apprised of what they are doing to appropriately and timely respond to the complaints and allegations,” Henry said.

Fresno Unified and First Student entered into a contract in 2016, with a five-year extension starting in 2021 (through 2026).