Wasilla School Bus Strike Idles 200 Drivers, Strands 18,000 Students

WASILLA, AK – March 02, 2026 – The familiar morning rumble of school buses was replaced by the sound of picket chants today as over 200 school bus workers in Wasilla began a strike, leaving the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District scrambling and thousands of families searching for alternative ways to get their children to school. The work stoppage, which began at 8:15 a.m., pits members of Teamsters Local 959 against their employer, Durham School Services, a major national transportation contractor.

The strike immediately impacts the daily transportation of more than 18,000 students across one of the nation's largest school districts by land area. While schools remain open, the district has confirmed that the vast majority of bus routes are suspended, urging parents to make other arrangements. This action marks a significant escalation in a bitter contract dispute that the union says has been marred by the company's stalling tactics and unfair labor practices.

"Durham's disappointing approach has left Local 959 Teamsters with no choice but to withhold their labor until the company comes back to the table with a serious offer," stated a press release from the union, highlighting the frustration that has been building for months.

A Community Rerouted

For parents and students in the Mat-Su Valley, the strike brings immediate and significant logistical challenges. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) announced that classes would proceed as scheduled, but acknowledged the immense disruption. Officials expressed disappointment with the strike and encouraged both parties to return to the bargaining table.

This is not the first time the community has faced such a disruption. A similar walkout in 2023, involving the same union and company, lasted over a month and led to a notable increase in student absenteeism. However, learning from the past, Teamsters Local 959 provided a 10-day strike notice on February 19, a move they said was intended to give families ample time to prepare for the work stoppage, unlike the 2023 strike which began without warning.

The timing of the strike, just days before the district's spring break scheduled for March 6-15, offers a sliver of hope for a limited disruption. If an agreement can be reached during the break, the impact on families could be contained to just a few school days. However, with negotiations at a standstill, many are preparing for a prolonged conflict. The district confirmed that bus services for a handful of schools, including Glacier View School and others served by different contractors, will continue to operate normally.

At the Heart of the Dispute

The conflict stems from the expiration of the previous contract on February 4, 2026. According to Teamsters Local 959, their members, which include drivers, monitors, and attendants, have been working without a new agreement since then. Earlier this year, workers overwhelmingly rejected what Durham termed its "last, best, and final offer" and authorized a strike.

The union's demands go beyond simple wage increases, painting a picture of deep-seated concerns over working conditions and safety. Key demands from the Teamsters include:
* Fair wages, particularly for monitors and attendants.
* Paid cancellation days for events like snow days.
* The elimination of out-of-pocket costs for workers who require additional medical screenings.
* Guaranteed and consistent vehicle maintenance to address safety issues.

Union representatives have cited a litany of safety concerns, from inadequate heaters and headlights in the harsh Alaskan winters to non-functioning windshield wipers and poor lighting in bus yards. The union has also filed multiple Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against Durham with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging bad-faith bargaining, refusal to provide requested information, and frequent cancellation of negotiation meetings.

A Pattern of Conflict

Durham School Services, owned by the UK-based National Express Group, has characterized the strike as "unnecessarily disruptive." Company officials stated that both parties had already agreed to meet with a federal mediator for sessions scheduled in late March, dates they claim were initially proposed by the union.

However, an examination of Durham's labor history reveals that the conflict in Alaska is part of a much broader pattern of disputes across the country. The company has faced numerous strikes, lawsuits, and ULP charges from Teamsters locals and other workers in multiple states.
* In Maryland and New York, Durham faced strikes and ULP charges in 2023 over stalled contract negotiations and alleged illegal surveillance of workers.
* In Rhode Island, Teamsters authorized a strike in 2021 to protest "paltry raises" and unfair labor practices.
* In California, the company settled a class-action lawsuit for nearly $3.9 million in 2018 over allegations it failed to properly compensate employees for breaks and mandatory training. Since 2011, Durham has paid out over $12 million in settlements related to wage disputes.
* A federal court upheld an NLRB order in 2016 forcing Durham to bargain with a union in Florida that it had refused to recognize for years.

This extensive record of contention suggests that the issues at play in Wasilla are systemic within the company's operational model, which relies on securing low-cost contracts from school districts.

National Shortages and Systemic Pressures

The strike in Wasilla is a local manifestation of a national crisis. Across the United States, school districts are grappling with a severe and persistent shortage of school bus drivers. A 2025 survey found that 81% of school administrators still report a driver shortage, with overall driver employment remaining nearly 10% below pre-2019 levels.

While hourly wages have seen modest increases, the job's part-time hours, lack of benefits in many cases, and increasing responsibilities continue to make recruitment and retention difficult. This shortage is compounded by rising operating costs, budget cuts as pandemic-era funding expires, and an increasing need for specialized transportation for students with special needs and those experiencing homelessness.

This environment has created a fertile ground for labor unrest. Just last week, school bus drivers in Ontario, Canada, went on strike demanding a livable wage. The struggles of the Teamsters in Wasilla echo the fights being waged by essential transportation workers across North America, who argue that their critical role in the education system is not reflected in their compensation or working conditions. As the picket lines form in Alaska, the outcome of this dispute will be closely watched by school districts, transportation contractors, and labor unions nationwide, all of whom are navigating the challenging terrain of post-pandemic school transportation.