More school bus drivers, matrons spark heated protests

  Eyewitness News

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A heated protest was held Tuesday morning over New York City's ongoing school bus strike.

Non-union drivers were joined by matrons from another union, which generated outrage on the picket lines.

At least 68 school buses rolled from the Meredith Avenue yard on Staten Island, operated by Staten Island Bus Company.

Members of United Service Workers Local 355, who are normally school bus drivers, served the as the matrons. They received four hours of training and were certified yesterday.

The Local 355 is not on strike. Numerous members of the striking union, Amalgamated Transit Union 1181, were outraged the workers crossed their picket lines.

However, the school bus companies said they are seeing less non ATU 1181 workers, with some apparently unwilling to cross picket lines. Some older drivers are retiring and others calling in sick. At least two replacements who showed up for work at the Staten Island yard decided against it.

The lot managed to cover 59 of its 113 routes.

On Monday, bus companies and union leaders met in an effort to resolve the strike. A mediator conducted the meeting at the mayor's official residence at Gracie Mansion.

The strike entered its ninth day Tuesday.

The conflict is over the city's need to rein in spiraling costs against the bus drivers' goal of ensuring they keep their jobs.

The city contracts with the private bus companies. It says the city must seek competitive bids to save money. Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union wants the new contracts to include job protections for current drivers.

A decision is expected this week on whether the strike is even legal, after the National Labor Relations Board heard challenges last week.

CLICK HERE FOR 7 THINGS TO KNOW DURING THE STRIKE

Summary and links:

The city is taking the following steps for families of students who currently receive yellow bus service: