UPDATED: School Bus Strike Thursday, Bus Co. Blames Teamsters, Witman Blasts Elorza
Thursday, September 27, 2018
It is official, thousands of Providence public school children will be without bus transportation on Thursday.
Last minute efforts by Mayor Jorge Elorza proved ineffective and Teamsters Local 251 is going on strike. Now, Elorza is being criticized by his opponent Diane "Dee Dee" Witman for his failure to deliver basic city services.
The bus company is blaming the union.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"First Student is extremely disappointed that the leadership of Teamsters Local 251 has chosen to force a strike rather than continue negotiations. First Student understands that even one day without yellow bus transportation is a hardship for the families, students and schools that depend on us. It is deeply unfortunate that the Teamsters are willing to hold the transportation of thousands of Providence students hostage as a negotiating ploy," said Frank McMahon, spokesperson for First Student.
"This is a desperate attempt to force our drivers to join the New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension Fund. The plan is currently underfunded by $3.6 billion, has liabilities that have increased by $700 million in just the last two years, is classified as being in “critical and declining” status by the U.S. Treasury Department, and may be insolvent in less than 10 years," added McMahon.
"First Student has been negotiating with Teamsters Local 251 representatives since June. As we have told union leadership, we will discuss improvements to our last, best and final offer – including wage, 401(k) and benefits improvements. We will not, however, jeopardize the retirement security of our employees by forcing them to join a severely underfunded Teamsters pension. First Student stands ready and willing to return to the negating table - anytime, anywhere - to avoid further disruption to student bus service."
Elorza Under Fire
"Elorza’s administration has failed, yet again, to make basic city functions work. Mayor Elorza’s staff had ample time to develop contingency plans and failed to do so. Instead, he suggested that students and families pay to use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft for the duration of the strike. How could he suggest such a thing? Nevermind cost and safety concerns, what message does this send to our students with physical disabilities or who require wheelchairs?" said Witman.
"Given the recent shooting of one of our students, we do not need to create an environment where kids are on street corners waiting for rides to and from school, being there for an additional amount of time while parents arrive after they depart work, possibly creating an unsafe environment. These kids need stability and uniformity after such a tragic event. This disruption will not help," she added.
"A capital city should not function this way. “Students and families across the city deserve basic services that reduce daily stress and include quality of life. They should not have to tolerate a poorly managed and ineffective system,” Witman said Thursday night.
Thursday, Elorza did not issue any public statements, but was directly involved in the negotiations between the Teamsters and First Student.
Related Articles
- VIDEO: Elorza Has No Transportation Plan for Students as School Bus Drivers are Poised to Strike
- Parent Company of Providence Bus Co., First Student, is in Economic Turmoil
- School Bus Drivers in Providence Reject Contract, Teamsters Poised to Strike
- EXCLUSIVE: Providence School Bus Drivers Threaten to Strike
- Witman Slams Elorza Over Lack of Leadership as Prov School Bus Drivers Move to Strike
- Providence School Bus Drivers and Bus Company in Final Hours to Avert Strike
- NEW: Providence School Bus Drivers Reported to Work Before Late Cancellation
- NEW: Prov. School Bus Drivers, First Student Spar Over Contract Negotiations
- NEW: Providence School Bus Drivers, First Student Reach Deal
