School Bus Driver Strike Ends In Meriden: Officials

MERIDEN, CT — School bus drivers will be back on the job in Meriden after the strike was resolved Tuesday, officials announced.

“Thank you very much for all of your support as we navigated the bus strike,” Meriden Board of Education President Rob Kosienski Jr. and Superintendent Mark D. Benigni wrote in a message to the school community. “While Meriden Public Schools was not a party in the dispute, we worked closely with New Britain Transportation and Teamsters Local 671 to help resolve the strike quickly.

“We are pleased to share that our buses will be back in operation tomorrow, Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

“Thank you to the bus drivers for all they do for our students, and we are glad to welcome them back.”

Meriden school bus drivers went on strike against New Britain Transportation at 5 a.m. on Sept. 1 as a result of the teamsters’ expiring collective bargaining agreement with New Britain Transportation, officials with Local 671 Teamsters Union said on Thursday.

School officials prepared for “significant challenges” in the entire school community for the duration of the strike.

Benigni reported that more than 89 percent of the district’s students attended school on Friday, and the district also encouraged families to drive their children to school on Tuesday due to the strike.