I am a school bus driver. I drive to 3 different schools. I drive the handicap accessible bus and have 2 kiddos that use the lift. Every child on my bus is special needs. I absolutely love these kids and I love my job. I take great pride in providing stellar care for the kids while on my bus and do whatever I can to make their start/end of day as positive as possible. Since starting driving again this school year I have been under paid. I make $50 a day for at first driving an average of 4 hours a day (about $12/hr when the min wage was $14) and now it averages 5 hours a day which is about 10 an hour when the min wage is 15. I told my boss that unless I get back pay and a reasonable rate going forward I am not driving. I am so gutted to make this decision. Instead of just paying me more (they offered 70 which is still only 14/hr) and giving me back pay they are trying to shave a few minutes here and there off of my route. I don't want to quit. I love my bus kids and they love me. I provide them a safe space to share their feelings and go out of my way to decorate the bus for holidays, I keep fidget toys to help them and listen to them talk when they need to. I feel guilty for leaving them but at the same time I deserve to be paid properly.
Edit to say: I did my First Aid on my own, wasn't paid for defensive driving course or training.