The fourth consecutive day ongoing strike of school bus drivers. 20 000 students in long island, Queens and Brooklyn have to travel to school independently or with the help of parents who take their children to school to the detriment of their work.
Bus drivers are demanding wage increases, a guaranteed 5-day work week and paid sick leave. The strike began Monday, when after 5 months of negotiations between Union representatives and the employer to reach a consensus and failed.
More than 300 school bus drivers just left jobs after the breakdown of negotiations. Many of them sympathize with parents affected by the situation, and declare that they intend soon to return to work, but after reaching agreement on the stated requirements.
Most schools were not ready for such emergency situation and are unable to provide transportation. The only exception is Rockville Centre. This is the only area to prepare for a possible crash. The school district entered into a temporary contract with a bus company, however, it covers only certain routes at certain times.
The last time such a drivers ‘ strike in new York was recorded back in 2003. Time to work not out 200 school bus drivers, resulting in 12 000 students were affected. The strike lasted 3 days before the date of resumption of negotiations. How and when to end the current strike is not yet known.
