BOSTON—School-bus drivers went on a surprise strike here Tuesday over a dispute with a new operating company, leaving parents and nearly 33,000 students scrambling for alternative transit options.
The strike affected public and private schools alike, including parochial and charter schools, according to the city. The issue stems from a disagreement with members of the bus drivers' union, United Steelworkers of America Local 8751, and Veolia Transportation Inc., a contractor that took over operations for the Boston bus fleet this summer, the city said.
An attorney for the union said it disavows the job action, which the union considers an authorized "wildcat" strike, and has urged members back to work. The city called the strike illegal, and Veolia VIE.FR in Your Value Your Change Short position filed a complaint in federal court seeking an injunction to compel drivers to return to their busses, although a federal judge declined late Tuesday to grant a restraining order.
The city bus fleet remained sidelined at pickup time Tuesday, and it was unclear whether they would run Wednesday. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino blasted the union, calling the strike "totally unnecessary."
"They agreed to a contract, a very good contract, now they don't want to live up to the contract," he said at a news conference.
Boston's transit system offered free rides to any student with a school identification, although children under 11 have to be with an adult. Some got rides to school from the police in the morning. Mr. Menino said 82% of students made it to school despite the strike. He urged parents to be ready to drive kids or plan other transportation Wednesday, just in case. Schools will open an hour early, he said.
Patricia Sanchez of Boston, who works in the medical field, came by Blackstone Elementary School on the city's South End at 3 p.m. to pick up her brother and her daughter, who usually ride the bus. Police directed a flood of car traffic outside as other parents arrived. "I think it's not fair to the kids," Ms. Sanchez said, adding that she had to juggle her work schedule. "I've been on the go since five in the morning."
The city said Veolia is making changes to improve safety, technology and on-time performance, including adding driver certifications that match federal transportation standards. They are also making GPS location data available to parents through a bus-finder app.
Citing the head of the union local's grievance committee, the Boston Globe said the protest stems from frustration over the way drivers have been treated since Veolia took over, including issues with health-plan changes and payroll problems. The committee head couldn't be reached for comment.
The United Steelworkers said it doesn't condone the actions of Local 8751 members, a position the union's lawyer reiterated in court Tuesday evening.
"This activity does not represent the majority of our members, who believe that our issues with Veolia Transportation must be addressed through proper avenues including our contractual grievance procedure and the National Labor Relations Board," USW District 4 Director John Shinn id in a statement.
In its complaint seeking an injunction, Illinois-based Veolia said the Boston union drivers violated a no-strike clause in their collective-bargaining agreement with the "wildcat strike."
"The strike leaves the students without predictable transportation, and interrupts their education by either preventing their attendance or reducing the amount of time they spend in class," the company said.
Charles Hunter Sr ., who drove up to the Blackstone school to pick up his 3-year-daughter who normally takes a bus, said he understands unions fighting for rights and benefits. But "a warning would have been nice," he said.
Source: Wall Street Journal
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