Bus driver strike threatens city schools
By Marie Szaniszlo | Monday, June 27, 2011 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Local Coverage
The bus drivers’ union serving Boston Public Schools has threatened to strike as soon as the school year ends, a move that would affect more than 2,000 students with disabilities, according to a letter Superintendent Carol R. Johnson is sending to all BPS staff this morning:
Over the weekend, the union made good on its threat to prevent First Student drivers from bidding on summer routes that are to begin on Wednesday, Johnson said.
A work stoppage would impact more than 2,000 students in wheelchairs, with medically fragile conditions, seizure disorders, autism and other significant disabilities who receive extended-year services to maintain the progress they made during the regular school year and to prevent regression, she said.
“It is simply unacceptable that a union that frequently asserts its stand for social justice would choose to harm the very children who need our help the most,” Johnson said. “We cannot stand idly by and allow the drivers’ union to cheat our students from their opportunity to learn.”
Union representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.
Not only would a disruption harm the most vulnerable students, Johnson said, but it would also harm the drivers. Any driver who does not want a summer route would normally be eligible for unemployment compensation, she said, but a union-driven work stoppage would cut off these benefits.
Today, the district launched a recorded telephone hotline — (617) 635-7738 — for families to get updated information.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1348266
