New York City School Bus Strike

NYC School Bus Drivers to Strike Beginning Wednesday: Union President

The strike will begin Wednesday morning

The New York City school bus drivers union will go on strike beginning Wednesday morning, union president Michael Cordiello announced Monday evening.

Cordiello, who heads Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said the union is still negotiating with city officials and is "optimistic" for an agreement but until there is a resolution, drivers will strike Wednesday. More than 8,000 drivers and matrons will be taking part.

School Bus Strike Survival Guide

How to safely get your kids to school and get reimbursed for any costs.

 

• All students who currently receive yellow bus service are eligible to receive a MetroCard. Parents should request a MetroCard from their child’s school's main office.
  
• Parents of pre-school and school-age children with IEPs requiring transportation from their home directly to their school, as well as parents of general education children in grades K through 2, may also request a MetroCard for the parent or guardian to act as the child’s escort to school.
  
• Parents who drive their children to school will be reimbursed are a rate of 55 cents per mile.
  
• Parents who use a taxi or car service to transport their child to school will be reimbursed for the trip upon their completion of reimbursement forms that include a receipt for provided services.
  
• Students who are unable to attend school because of disruptions to yellow bus service will be marked absent with an explanation code that will ensure their attendance record is not negatively affected.
  
• Students who arrive at school late because of disruptions to yellow bus service will be excused for up to two hours.
  
• The NYPD will deploy additional transit officers and crossing guards to help manage an increase in the number of students using public transportation and walking to school.
  
• Additional school safety officers will also be deployed to public schools.
  
• The Taxi and Limousine Commission will issue an alert to all licensees to anticipate increased demand and have the maximum number of cars available.
  
• Field trips using yellow bus service are canceled.
  
• After-school programs may remain open, but no busing will be provided.
  
• The strike should not impact Early Intervention or pre-K bus services, but there may be some disruption to those services as well.

Parents who need reimbursement should check with the school's office or download the forms on this Department of Education web site

Posted by:Georgie

Credit:nbcnewyork.com