Supporters Of School Bus Drivers Rally At City Hall As Strike Looms
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Union members, parents and local leaders gathered at City Hall Tuesday to show support for school bus drivers as they consider a possible strike.
Union leaders say they'll hold off on striking during the holiday season, but that doesn't mean they'll accept the current contract offer.
The strike threat is linked to the Department of Education seeking bids for service for its pre-K special education students.
Drivers want a provision that would require jobs go to the most senior drivers regardless of which company wins the bid.
A 2008 court ruling keeps the city from including that in contracts.
Union officials say they will explore every avenue before striking.
"Our goal is to rectify this somehow with city officials and whoever will listen and the parents, who you see are backing us, to get this issue resolved. Where there's a will, there's a way," said Michael Cordiello, president of Transit Union Local 1181-1061.
In a statement, DOE officials said a strike would be illegal and leave families across the city struggling to get their children to school.