Posted on 11/02/2006 12:14:21 PM PST by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
SEATTLE A school bus driver fired after she reportedly made an obscene gesture at President Bush has filed a union grievance in an attempt to get her job back. The 43-year-old driver, whose name was not released, was driving middle school children back to school after a zoo visit on June 16 when the president and Republican Rep. Dave Reichert drove slowly by in a motorcade. From the bus, the children waved; with the windows down in their car, Bush and Reichert waved back.
That's when the driver gave the president the finger, according to Reichert and Issaquah superintendent Janet Barry. "The congressman hadn't seen it, but the president turned to him and said, 'That one's not a fan,' " said Reichert spokeswoman Kimberly Cadena. Reichert later called Barry to tell her about the incident, but the bus driver had already been fired. District officials learned about the incident after the driver boasted to colleagues about it, Cadena said.
District spokeswoman Sara Niegowski said the driver has filed a wrongful termination grievance through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The union did not return calls seeking comment. Niegowski said the firing was not politically motivated. "The bus driver was not terminated for making an obscene gesture at the president. The bus driver was terminated for making an obscene gesture in view of the students," Niegowski said. "That's not the role modeling we need for our students."
Acts 23:5 And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ' YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"
Whether you like the person or not, that about wraps it up.
Okay, you can go back to work, but your finger can't. It's up to you.
Ha ha ha. Good one.
Someone with that kind of judgment ought not to be driving children around.
This will be Number Two on Countdown With Keith Olbermoron tonight.
The apostle Paul never knew Bill Clinton. If there ever was a man who deserved a community flip it was him.
Well sir, it sure looks like Sara Niegowski was in the wrong line when they handed out the brains.
Great example for the kids, too.
What a putz.
Just give her her job back and forget about it.
Sara Niegowski was the spokesperson for the district. The Bus Driver is not named.
The driver just needs to explain that she meant to give a "thumbs up" but botched it...then issue a non-apololgy and do a "flip"-flop.
Oops. Well, the bus driver's still a meathead.
Thanks!
You all can call or email Superintendent Janet Barry at:
425-837-7000
barryj@issaquah.wednet.edu
and let her know she should tell the bus drivers union to take a long hike on a short pier!
So much for free speech.
Why did'nt she just keep her finger where she normally does?! Up her as*!
Nummy Numbnut excercised rather poor (and inappropriate) judgement in front of a bunch of kids. Now I know these kids won't be scarred from this, but I also feel better that mr. nut won't have the lives of 20-30 in his hands twice a day any longer either.
She can say whatever she wants, she is not entitled to a job.
I don't think we should bother the district. They did the right thing. They should be commended. We don't need to tie up their phone lines on this one.
There's nothing the district can do when an employee files a union grievance other than to set the matter for a hearing. She will not prevail on this one. Obscene gestures in front of students is an automatic termination offense for all school district employees. The grievance is dead in the water.
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