Harrisburg, Pa. - Central Dauphin school bus drivers are convinced Friday's court decision will allow them to keep working, at least through the holidays. Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis ruled Friday the school district did not follow proper procedure when it broke the union contract.

"I'm relieved we'll go into the holidays and people know they have a job," said union president Donna Ricupero, "very relieved."

The judge's decision protects nearly 90 union jobs, including Elmer Baker's. He's put in nearly four decades of service and thinks Central Dauphin has acted less than loyal in return. "I can't understand what the school board is doing," he said.

In August, board members voted to outsource transportation to cut costs. They estimate about $774,000 in savings this year alone. But the district found itself in court after severing the union contract 18 months early and legal fees are starting to add up.

"I believe it's costing the taxpayers a lot of money because they want to break a contract," Ricupero said.

Twice now, abc27 News has asked a district spokeswoman just how much money Central Dauphin has paid out in attorney bills. First, we were told no comment. A day later, we were promised a return call, but received none.

Taxpayers will be interested to know the dispute between the union and the school district isn't over. The state Labor Relations Board is also involved where there are unresolved issues and a fact-finding process is set to begin. It's also possible this could wind up back in court.

"They could turn around and appeal this," Ricupero said. "I do expect the district to appeal this."

"Commonwealth Court, Superior Court, I don't care where it goes," Baker said. "We're going to win because we're right."

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