School bus drivers who serve some of Rhode Island’s biggest public school districts are threatening to go on strike this week.
A union representing the drivers, Teamsters Local 251, said contract negotiations broke down this week with their employer, First Student.
"First Student has had all summer to reach fair agreements with the hardworking Teamsters who safely transport students across Rhode Island every day," said Matt Taibi, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 251. "Our members have been clear about what it will take to avoid a strike.”
The walkout would impact students in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Smithfield, West Warwick, Bristol, Warren and Portsmouth, just as many cities and towns head back to school.
Brenna Rudisill, a spokesperson for First Student, said the company “remains committed to good-faith negotiations with Teamsters Local 251 on local supplemental agreements covering our Rhode Island operations.”
Rudisill said the company has met with the union 15 times since talks began on July 8, including an all-day bargaining session on Monday, Aug. 31, which “produced some progress.” Discussions continued Tuesday, Sept. 1, Rudisill said, with another meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning.
“As part of this process, First Student has already implemented significant wage increases across our Rhode Island locations — effective July 1 or August 1, depending on location — to comply with the state's prevailing wage requirements, independent of the status of these negotiations,” Rudisill said.
How school districts might provide transportation in the event of a strike is still unclear. A spokesperson for the Providence Public School District did not immediately provide the district’s alternative plans when asked for comment.
Teamsters Local 251 said the strike could begin as soon as Wednesday. Its members voted to authorize the strike “earlier this summer,” according to the union’s press release.
