NYC School Bus Drivers Reach Tentative Agreement, Avoiding Strike

City school bus drivers reached a tentative contract agreement with the largest school bus companies this week, averting a potential strike that might have affected 80,000 students. The tentative agreement includes wage increases and other protections for drivers, would last five years, and would cover the three largest school bus companies, representing about 4,000 routes. Drivers assigned to the nonprofit school bus provider NYCSBUS (operating roughly 800 routes) and a few smaller companies are still negotiating.

“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 agreement will now go to members for ratification. Read more in the NY Daily News, CBS NY, and Gothamist.