School Bus Drivers To Go On Strike In Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — Meriden school officials are preparing for “significant challenges” in the entire school community on Friday in the wake of a strike by the district’s school bus drivers.

School bus drivers in Meriden will go on strike against New Britain Transportation at 5 a.m. on Sept. 1, officials with Local 671 Teamsters Union announced on Thursday.

The teamsters’ collective bargaining agreement with New Britain Transportation is expiring.

“These drivers are fighting for a living wage, basic working standards, paid holidays, retirement and health benefits!” officials wrote in a post on the Local 671 Teamsters Union’s Facebook page. “Their current contract is the worst school bus contract in the state. NBT continues to send insulting contract proposals that are far below the industry standard.

“Meriden families deserve school bus drivers that are fairly compensated. These drivers drive the most precious cargo and their pay should reflect that! Enough is enough and we are demanding dignity and respect!”

In response, Meriden Superintendent of Schools Mark D. Benigni said school will be held on Friday whether or not there is a strike.

“We recognize that a strike by the Teamsters will impose significant challenges on the entire Meriden schools community, and we will work with our families to deal with the expected disruption to the transportation services…,” Benigni wrote in a letter to families.

Benigni said the strike will not likely affect the transportation for children who attend specialized special education programs because those drivers are not covered by the union contract that is expiring.

“Second, as to students receiving regular transportation, we encourage families that are able to do so to drive their children to school on Friday,” Benigni wrote. “The ability of New Britain Transportation to fulfill its obligation to provide transportation during a strike by drivers is in serious doubt.

“Third, we will have staff available to open all of our schools an hour early and keep them open an hour later so that parents and caregivers can drop their children off before the normal times and pick their children up after the normal dismissal time.

“Fourth, we understand that it may not be possible for some families to transport their children to school. The Meriden Police Department will have extra patrols out tomorrow for students who are able to walk to school safely. However, the safety of our students is of utmost importance, and please do not ask your children to walk to school or seek alternative transportation to school unless that can be done safely. Student absences on Friday will be excused and there will be opportunities to make up work.”

Officials will notify families if the strike continues after the Labor Day weekend and the following days, according to Benigni.

“We value our partnership with parents and caregivers, and we deeply regret that a dispute between New Britain Transportation and the Teamsters have put at risk our ability to provide transportation tomorrow to our students,” Benigni wrote. “We appreciate your cooperation in this matter, and we are doing all we can to promptly restore reliable transportation for our students and families.”