It’s great to finally see matrons and drivers back on the job after weeks of no pay and standing out in the freezing temperatures. But it’s disheartening to hear of those workers who lost their jobs after making those sacrifices. It seems unfair that after not getting the long term job protections they were looking for, they couldn’t at least keep their jobs until the end of the school year.

For the first time in weeks, tens of thousands of public school students took yellow buses to and from school today. Drivers from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 returned to work following a month-long strike. They failed to reach an agreement with bus companies over job protections in future contracts.

Attendance was up, as buses on all 7,700 routes were running. Some students and parents welcomed the drivers with homemade signs, but not everyone was smiling. In Brooklyn, more than 100 bus matrons were told they no longer had jobs and were replaced while on strike.

What was the first day back to work or school like for you or your family? What's your reaction to the 100 bus matrons losing their jobs? Do you think the four-week strike was worth it?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

So our bully mayor got what he wanted, the loss of 100 experienced bus matrons, way to go Bloomberg, gee what a guy!

Felix
Bay Ridge

Does this mean they just picked on the bus matrons. It looks as though to me that they were singled out.

Yet another deal behind closed doors. We, the little people are always the ones that suffer.

WHY COULDN'T THIS MAYOR STAND UP TO THEM AND TELL THEM HIMSELF FACE TO FACE THAT THIS IS WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO THE MATRONS BECAME THE UNFORTUNATE ONES TO BE SACRIFICED.

ONE PERSON LOSING THEIR JOB HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE TO MANY FOR ME.

CHICKEN!!!!!!!!!!

Maxxiee
Morris Park

These kinds of problems will never be resolved as long as schools are run by government and government is in the hands of unions. A Constitutional question: Where is it authorized that schools be a government monopoly?

Joe
Port Richmond

the strike was a joke, the workers were sold out by their union, how can they accept a pledge from candidates who may or may not become mayor, and then for matrons to be replaced ? while on strike ? what is the union going to do about that ?

Debbie
Bay Ridge

They say the strike is over, however, I waited along with 5 parents this morning for over 45 minutes waiting in the cold for the bus that never appeared. In the end, I took 8 kids including my one child to the Brooklyn New School and arrived at work 50 minutes late. This is ridiculous. Sir, the Rainbow Co bus that brings the kids to BNS was a no show. Upon arriving at BNS there were no school bus parked and I was told by the crossing guard that the busses on route k1530 are not running. Please address this.

Sandra
Crown Heights

The union members were sold out by the so-called 5 Democratic Candidates. Nothing was accomplished. If Mayor Bloomberg is correct in his adamant claim that EPPs are illegal then exactly what are the so-called five democratic candidates if elected going to do to make EPPs legal in new city bus contracts? Override the law? I mean what exactly is the issue that is to be re-visited next year? And as a result of this strike, some matrons lost their jobs. Some Job Security?

Way to go Democratic Candidates!!!

Lisa
Upper East Side

7900 School Bus Personnel are back to work, The 100 Workers last behind should be rehired. The Union and The Negotiating Team have a job to do now.

These Men and Women, transport our most precious cargo, Seniority and Job Security is not a lot to ask four, and this kind of elementary is what I would be looking for in Schoolbus Personnel. Seasoned Workers with long term working
experience what more could we ask for.

Gus

IS A SHAME THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GONNA LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEY MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY SHAME ON YOU BLOOMBERG

PEDRO
BRONX

A lot of people don't know that bus companies lose routes every year come september. As a result to that drvers and matrons get to go to another company and continue with their seniority. Now without the EPP we always going to be at bottom being that we would have to apply for work every year. So what is going to happen to all those people that had a year or two FROM RETIRING. NOT FARE, NOT FARE AT ALL. We don't make a lot of money as it is right now. What more do they want from us? Bus companies are always either changing names, owners or filing bankruptcy. Just so they can start from scratch. Now it is like they can do with us. Whatever they want, if you don't like their treatment out you go. I hold Bloomberg responsilble for this disaster.

A.I.