According to the court’s decision, non-unionized drivers in Griswold northeast of Norwich received an annual wage increase of 25 cents per hour, while drivers from STA's Groton and New London locations had yet to receive the increase as they were in the middle of finalizing their collective-bargaining agreements for the 2010-2011 school year. Drivers in Ledyard did not receive an annual wage increase for the current school year, with the explanation coming during the annual start up meeting last August.

Driver Kristen Lajoie explained to the court that John Spang, director of operations, “passed around a copy of the Union’s representation petition and announced that an annual raise would not be granted.” The explanation from Spang was that, once a petition is filed, an employer must freeze wages and benefits “to avoid unlawful electioneering.”

Administrative Law Judge Robert Ringler found the practice unlawful and granted the drivers the previously held wage increase, with interest.

“The Ledyard, CT, matter is currently in active negotiations," an STA spokesperson told School Transportation News. "In prior situations, before or after a request for a union election, the company has been advised not to adjust annual pay scales until the matter has been resolved or negotiated. The result of the driver vote was 18-16 or one vote from a tie. The drivers’ pay increase was accrued and, in fact, the company has offered to pay the accrued amounts immediately; however, the Union has not yet agreed.

"The company has the utmost respect for our employees and continues to negotiate in good faith to resolve the matter with the Union.”