NYC School Bus Strike Averted: City, Union Reach Tentative Deal

NEW YORK CITY — A looming school bus strike has been averted as New York City and the drivers's union reached a tentative deal this week, according to city officials and reports.

City Hall's agreement with ATU Local 1181 covers five years of contracts with the city's largest school bus companies responsible for roughly 4,000 routes, according to City Hall spokesperson Jonah Allon and a Daily News report.

“We are grateful that ATU Local 1181 and DOE-contracted school bus companies were able to come to a voluntary agreement," said City Hall spokesperson Jonah Allon.

"When labor and management come to the table in a spirit of mutual cooperation, we can achieve meaningful results for all New Yorkers.”

ATU Local 1181 chief of staff Carolyn Rinaldi reportedly told the Daily News, “This is huge."

The drivers in question deliver more than 80,000 students, including thousands of students with disabilities, to school, according to City Hall.

The deal does not cover NYCSBUS, a nonprofit school bus provider still negotiating with the city over its service on about 800 routes.

The deal won't be finalized until ATU members ratify a memorandum of agreement, the Daily News reports.

The Education department declined to provide comment.