Pay Raises Approved for PCPS Bus Drivers and Other Employee Groups

The Polk County School Board has approved pay raises for the district’s bus drivers, attendants, custodians and other employee groups.

Earlier this month, Polk County Public Schools reached a tentative pay agreement with AFSCME Local 2227, the union representing PCPS bus drivers and attendants; custodial, maintenance and warehouse personnel; and school nutrition assistants. The agreement was ratified by AFSCME members on Saturday and approved by school board members during Tuesday’s meeting.

See the full document here. The highlights include:

Bus Drivers

• Entry-level pay for full-time drivers will increase to $14.50, up from $13.40. The pay raise is retroactive to July 1, 2021.
• Veteran PCPS bus drivers will also see pay raises, depending on their salary level/years of experience.
• PCPS is also implementing a $500 retention bonus for newly hired drivers, and a $150 referral bonus for existing drivers and attendants who refer new driver applicants hired by PCPS.

All other AFSCME employee groups

• The minimum base salary for bus attendants, custodians and school nutrition assistants will increase to $11 per hour, retroactive to July 1, 2021.
• Each employee group (other than bus drivers) will see a pay increase totaling $1.50 per hour over the next two years ($0.75 each year).

The complete pay agreement is available here. Employees can request more information by contacting HR at 863-534-0781 (option 2) or hrcallcenter@polk-fl.net.