School bus drivers have reached a tentative contract agreement with the city’s major school bus companies, seemingly averting a strike that could have disrupted pickups and drop-offs for some 80,000 students.
NYC School Chancellor David Banks confirmed the deal on NY1 on Thursday morning.
“All of our kids will be able to continue on their buses. I think this will be a big relief for so many of our parents,” Banks said.
Before the start of the school year, Mayor Eric Adams and Banks warned families that a bus driver strike was a real possibility. Around 4,400 bus routes serving 25,000 special education students would have been affected. Banks announced an emergency plan in the event of a strike that included free MetroCards for students and subsidized trips on rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Banks cautioned on Thursday that the dispute had not been completely resolved. Though negotiations between Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 — the union representing drivers — and some companies are still ongoing, Banks said a deal with three of the larger operators established a framework for the remaining talks.
“Our school bus workers care deeply about their students, who they transport safely to and from school each day. I’m glad that we could reach this strong deal that recognizes the important role they play,” said ATU Local 1181 President Tomas Fret.
The deal includes wage increases and other protections for drivers, the union said. Members are expected to vote on the contract in the coming weeks.
The labor dispute disrupted bus drivers’ typical preparations ahead of the first day of school, according to Banks. Education department data showed a large number of bus delays that day.
Banks credited the mayor for “bringing all sides to the table.”
Activist group Parents to Improve School Transportation praised the deal, but said the school bus system, which has long been bogged down by delays and mismanagement, needed more reform.
“A fair labor contract is a step forward; much more is needed to repair the damage done by misplaced priorities and disconnected governance with NYC school busing,” said Sara Catalinotto, a spokesperson for Parents to Improve School Transportation, in a statement.
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