A school bus strike that threatens to strand 150,000 children is likely to begin on Wednesday and could be announced as early as tomorrow, sources told The Post.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 has already printed strike posters, assigned members to future picket lines at bus yards across the city, and distributed a list of “do’s and don’ts” for conduct during a strike, sources said.
Members will not have to take any additional action this week to initiate a strike because a May vote pre-authorized it.
The city has been anticipating the strike, and has announced contingency plans that include handing out MetroCards to students and parents. Where public transit is not available, private drivers and taxi or car service would be reimbursed. All field trips will be cancelled, but after-school programs would remain open.
Some predict chaos will ensue outside schools as many parents idle and jockey for parking during arrival and dismissal times.
“We are still taking the threat of a strike seriously and communicating our contingency plans to families,” so that they are prepared in the event of a strike,” Department of Education spokeswoman Erin Hughes said.
The union, comprised of 9,000 drivers, mechanics and escorts, is battling the city to retain employee protection provisions in case a yellow-bus company they work for loses its contract with the city.
Those protections — in place since 1979 but ruled illegal in a 2011 court decision — enabled senior people at a jilted bus company to get hired by the winning bidder.
Everybody off! City school bus strike is likely to happen Wednesday
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Everybody off! City school bus strike is likely to happen Wednesday
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Everybody off! City school bus strike is likely to happen Wednesday
