NEW YORK - It's back to the bargaining table as negotiations continue to prevent hundreds of city school bus drivers from going on strike.
Teamsters Local 553 says last week, 85 percent of its members at Jofaz Transportation and Y & M Transit voted to authorize a strike.
If a deal is not reached, drivers could hit the picket lines as early as Tuesday.
The union says it's pushing back against rising healthcare costs and reduced holiday time.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says he's hopeful a deal will be reached.
He says both companies serve around 12,000 public school kids and 2,500 private school kids, mostly in parts of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
The city says if a strike does take place, it will offer affected parents a choice of free Metrocards or paid car service for their kids.