4/17/95 | Index | Next

Union, city hoping talks will keep buses on road

By Ruth Schubert, Staff Reporter

Parents and school officials are hoping that talks this week between the city and its transportation union will keep bus drivers on the job when school reopens next Monday.

"I cannot pick up all four kids at the same time," said Sonia Rivera, who has three children at two Hunts Point schools and one who is bused to a special education program at Public School 146 in Melrose. "I would have to not send him to school while the strike is on."

The dispute began two weeks ago when Mayor Rudolph Giuliani recommended that the contracts be put up for competitive bidding, saying that as much as $100 million could be cut from the $316 million transportation budget. The city has contracts with 78 busing companies.

At issue is an employee protection clause in the current contract, which guarantees drivers lifetime job security, and assures their employment, with the same wages and benefits, by any company awarded the busing contract. Giuliani's proposal was part of a larger campaign to close a $773 million school budget gap citywide.

The Board of Education voted to support the plan on Wednesday.

"We must look for every opportunity to save money," board President Carol Gresser said. "In difficult times, savings in operations areas can offset cuts that will have a significant impact on the classroom."

Frustrated, the union -- Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing the 6,000 drivers, mechanics and escorts on special education buses -- vowed to strike. By week's end, its leaders had agreed to continue negotiations.

If talks fail, 12,375 special education and 12,340 elementary school students in the borough would be left scrambling for substitute transportation.

"For many of our children, the parents would be able to get them there by alternate means," said Diane Robinson, principal at Public School 2 in Morrisania. "The kindergartners would be in the most desperate situation."

On Thursday, school authorities sent home notices explaining Cortines' contingency plans, which include passes for public transportation and longer school hours to make it easier for working parents. Special education students would be transported by volunteer city employees, accompanied by police escorts.

"It will definitely be disruptive to the schools, and I think there will be a drop in attendance," said Joseph Kovaly, superintendent of School District 11, who estimated that 2,000 district students rely on busing.

Bronx board member Sandra Lerner opposed the plan to seek competitive bidding on the five busing contracts due to expire June 30, arguing that they should be renewed for a year to allow more time for negotiations.

"I cannot forget the wildcat strike that sent this school system into chaos and confusion," said Lerner, who was deputy superintendent of School District 10 in 1979, the last time drivers struck. "The savings -- the upside -- are not clear, while a disruptive strike -- the downside -- seems all too clear."

Last week, the board's chief operations officer estimated that costs for overtime, car service reimbursement and lost state aid would be more than offset by bus contract savings.

His analysis did not include two central elements of Cortines' contingency plan: $650,000 for Transit Authority passes and $1 million for leased vans.

The Board of Education has established a hot line for busing questions: 392-8858.


The Bronx Beat, April 17, 1995