Boston school bus drivers call rumors of another strike a 'tactic'

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - Boston school officials urged parents to be prepared for another potential strike by school bus drivers Monday after a weekend protest.

FOX 25's Catherine Parrotta watched as buses left the lot in Dorchester Monday morning. While the movement was a promising sign, school officials asked parents to have a backup plan in place.

"Unfortunately, we do not have complete confidence that service will continue every day," read a statement from Boston Public Schools. "Parents should continue to have alternate plans in place. We will send automated phone calls and update this website in the event of a service disruption."

The school system's website listed the school bus status as "normal" by 6 a.m.

Some drivers told Parrotta "every single bus" would roll Monday morning and "kids and parents have nothing to worry about." They claimed the bus company and city sparked "rumors of a strike as a tactic to scare parents." The drivers say parents can depend on them to provide safe and reliable transportation.

Officials say a demonstration by 100 drivers at the Freeport bus yard Saturday shows the labor dispute remains unsettled and another strike is possible.

Boston Public School officials said, "Early Saturday morning the same rogue element of the drivers' union that sparked the illegal job action on Oct. 8 held another demonstration outside the Freeport bus yard. About 100 drivers attended the rally."

School officials said Saturday's action was not authorized and official union leaders were not present.

"It is another signal that there is still an active element among the drivers that is actively encouraging disruptions," said school officials.

Steve Kirschbaum of the bus drivers' union told the Boston Herald there are no plans for another strike. He says his group is trying to enforce contract provisions on items including health benefits and overcrowded routes, and he hopes the drivers' complaints are heard by the National Labor Relations Board.

The drivers' union and bus contractor are continuing to meet.

School officials say the Oct. 8 strike was illegal and sparked by a rogue group of drivers. They advised parents to keep contingency plans in place in case of another strike.

Source: My Fox Boston