Community Corner

As Yellow Bus Strike Ends, City Gained More Than it Lost

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott announced that the city spent more than $20 million and saved $80 million


As New York City’s Yellow School Bus Strike ends today and about 200 private schools resume classes after the winter break, the price tag of the strike emerges, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Amalgamated Transit Union 1181 agreed on Friday to end their strike, without a real compromise from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who didn't budge an inch.  

Bus drivers wanted renegotiate contracts that would included stronger provisions around job security, but the mayor contended such provisions were illegal.

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Additionally, Walcott said, although the city spent more than $20 million reimbursing parents for travel, it saved $80 million by not paying the bus companies during the strike.

Walcott said, however, he expected the price tag to rise as he urged parents to continue to file for reimbursement within the next month.

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Most drivers will return to work on Wednesday as public schools resume after a winter recess, but the strike's fallout will continue to be felt as companies, the city and union sort through legal issues.


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