[Reader Submitted] It was recently brought to the attention of the bus drivers of the bus companies transporting Lakewood’s public and private schools that they will be required to work all day on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011. I can not begin to tell you all of the range of emotions this has brought out in the Lakewood’s school bus drivers.
Feelings of anger, sadness, concern and resentment are common since this news was broken. In the past the previous Lakewood BOE transportation manager has allowed the companies to give the drivers off on Thanksgiving and Christmas and only staffing drivers who volunteered to work.
For many drivers, Thanksgiving is an important date on the calender, it is a day that families get together (some coming home from all over the world) to be close to one another and enjoy each others company. Many family members may only see each other on this day each year. My own family is devastated that as of now I will not be joining them for the day or Thanksgiving dinner and it is taking a toll on me and many other drivers.
We’re told we can not request off and if we do not show up for work we may be fired. It’s truly a heartbreaking situation for many.
The public and Christian schools will be off Thanksgiving Day and will not require transportation. However, we will be required to come in to drive the Jewish schools. We don’t ask for very much just to have this day and Christmas to spend with our families.
I know that some may have a negative opinion of Lakewood’s school bus drivers, but most of us do an exceptional job under Lakewood’s harsh driving conditions and truly care about the children of the Jewish community that we transport each day.
I am asking the community to contact the Lakewood Board of Education and transportation manager Gus Kakavas and encourage them to give the drivers the day off to be with our families.
This may not be an important day to the Jewish calender, but for us it is and we are asking for the mutual respect that we give to you on your important days.
Thank you for any support on behalf of Lakewood’s School Bus Drivers.
I would like to remind everybody that here in the USA we live in a country of laws ant the law is not on the bus drivers side. NJAC 6A:27 section 2.1 paragraph (e) requires bussing be provided by the BOE even on Legal holidays.
Let’s see if Steve Langert stands For all residents of this town.
#1 BOARD OF ED CANNOT DICTATE WHO CAN TAKE OFF ON A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
#2 WE DON’T WORK DIRECTLY FOR THE BOARD WE ARE A PRIVATE COMPANY PERIOD.
GIVE THEM THE DAY OFF!!!!
Maybe the private schools can close for just one day…..its only fair…we must consider that many drivers are also asked to give up there summers to accommodate the summer camps…family time is very important in all faiths. Public schools and private schools should run on one calendar..that would solve everything.
If a child misbehaves in class he may be given an assignment.
Being that this is a school related issue:
Each school should independently cancel their bussing. Simply tell the board that they will not require the service on the Yom Tov!
Now- if the ever powerful ‘school owners’ Vyoyatzayhem continue to persist- which will be ever obvious if the school does not cancel their bussing then:
The school owner should be made to write an assignement – posted on the scoop of course for all to see:
I propose 100x per bus run (I’m a conservative):
I forgot I live in Golus. I forgot I live in Golus. I forgot I live in Golus.
Now – if this owner continues to persist and refuses to desist and has the gall to keep even an afternoon run- well then words should be added on to the assignment- such as:
I am self centered- How can I expect the children in my school to be any more considerate when they grow up.
I am self centered- How can I expect the children in my school to be any more considerate when they grow up.
I am self centered- How can I expect the children in my school to be any more considerate when they grow up.
So on and so forth.
100—stick together–do not show up for worlk on that day–they cant fire you
to 93 Thanksgiving was declared an official holiday 1863, expressing gratitude for a pivotal Union Army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln announces that the nation will celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863.
Washington had also declared a holiday but it wasn’t until 1863 that it became a National Day.
Maybe all 100 of you guys who posted should find out if it was approved by the BOE yet!!!
In this economy, anyone who has a job should be grateful and work whatever schedule is required to ensure he keeps that job.
ok so if they get off who will drive the 10,000 kids that do have school on that day to school ?
if they have off who will drive all the kids to school ?
i agree with #84
100% the drivers should get the day off! Thanks for all your hard work!
Issues such as this help to unite communities. I am so proud to see the outpouring of support for the rights of others. It clearly demonstrates that we have much in common, and so few issues that we do not agree upon. Mutual respect is the key to relationships with others. The Orthodox community has made itself proud. They have clearly stated that they have no tolerance for injustice to others. Thank you, my friends.
why don’t you let my comments through?
i also want to say somthing.
@ # 84…How could you say such things. Many of the bus drivers suffer when the Jewish schools are closed because those schools close for extended periods of times throughtout the year. Most, if not all the drivers, unless you work for Jay’s, are non Jewish wage earners. Therefore, if you, meaning the Jewish Community, value your holidays, why is it that our non Jewish Drivers can not value theirs? This is not a battle of religion, its a battle of what is right!!!
AGAIN, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS NOT YET DISCUSSED THIS ISSUE. THEREFORE, this outrage is a PREMATURE conception about an issue that has not been discussed nor forwarded to the contractors as an “operating day.” WE already know NO ONE is going to show up…..Therefore, I do not believe the BOE will approve such transportation on the day.
they get off full succos and pesach!!!!!paid 1 day working wont kill them
I’m with the drivers!! Thanksgiving is a family day….
I was thinking – when these drivers took the route – did they know that they would have to work on Thanksgiving? or did they think that just as last year they had off so too this year they would have off?
If they knew – then they are no different then the someone working retail who knows that they have to work Thanksgiving and they will not see their families that they haven’t seen in years…….
If they weren’t told and this was brought up now – then they should have the option of taking the day off – if there aren’t enough drivers then it’s too bad on the BOE – they should’ve notified the drivers ahead of time and therefor bump up the compensation until they have enough drivers.
That is by the books – but if the Private schools (which each one could act indepentantly in this case) say we don’t need busing this day – that would alleviate the issue and also keep expenses down.
You wonder why there is Anti-Semitism? Look no further. Not acknowledging a National Holiday is un-American and breeds contempt. Having classes that day is not mandated.
give them off already. this is soo pathetic