NO STOPPING
School bus strike averted in 11th-hour deal
THE WHEELS of city school buses will go round on Tuesday — thanks to a last-minute deal that held off a potentially crippling strike.
The union representing school bus drivers and attendants who work for Jofaz Transportation and Y&M Transit reached a tentative contract agreement just after 10 p.m. Monday.
Under the agreement, the bus companies will continue to provide full health care coverage for employees — the major sticking point in the negotiations.
On Wednesday, workers voted down the companies’ prior offer — which didn’t fully cover health care — by an 85% margin and threatened to walk out if their demands weren’t met.
“When workers stand together, they can win good jobs for their co-workers and their families,” said Demos Demopoulos, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 553, which represents the workers.
“This was always bigger than two companies, and we will continue working with our allies in the labor movement to raise standards in the school bus industry,” he said.
Mayor de Blasio’s office was the first to share the good news.
“Breaking: deal reached mins ago to avert bus strike. Transpo to class for 14k+ students in Queens, BK and SI normal tomorrow,” the mayor’s office tweeted.
The contract will go to the union membership for an authorization vote — but members were already celebrating the win.
“I am so thankful (for) a contract that protects our health care,” said Lisa Cilone, a Jofaz school bus driver. The union represents approximately 900 drivers who handle 600 routes, primarily in Brooklyn, for the city Department of Education.
The union’s contract expired in June, but it was extended twice as contract talks carried on.
Some 12,000 children would have been affected by the strike. The city was prepared to give MetroCards to parents and reimburse those forced to take a taxi or car service to school.
“We are pleased . . . (that) all buses will operate tomorrow as usual. We are grateful to families and educators for their patience and support as we prepared contingency plans to provide transportation alternatives for students and families,” said Department of Education spokeswoman Devora Kaye.