BREAKING: Teamsters and First Student Reach Tentative Agreement UPDATED
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Just hours after a fire hit the bus yard of First Student, Teamsters Local 251 and First Student have reached a tentative agreement to resolve the strike now in its third week.
The strike was putting both First Student and the Teamsters in harm's way as the Providence School Committee was looking to move forward with a request for proposal for a new transportation vendor.
According to sources in the negotiations, bus service could start back up as early as Monday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMoreover, the Teamsters have failed to secure contributions to the Union's pension fund -- the major trigger to the strike.
“I greatly appreciate everyone’s collaboration in coming to an agreement that restores transportation for our kids,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “We’ll continue to work to ensure a smooth transition for students affected by the strike. I want to thank all of the parents, neighbors, teachers, police officers, firefighters, administrators, and community partners that supported our kids throughout the past 11 days.”
"We’ve reached a tentative contract agreement today with Teamsters Local 251 that reflects our joint commitment to providing Providence students and families with safe and reliable school bus transportation. First Student is appreciative of Mayor Elorza's and City Council President Salvatore's commitment to bringing both sides to a deal, and we are looking forward to welcoming our drivers back on Monday," said Frank McMahon, spokesman for Student First.
The strike which lasted for more than two weeks triggered legal action by three different groups against education officials for failing to provide required support to special needs children.
The ACLU of Rhode Island, along with two other civil rights organizations on Wednesday announced three separate legal steps with the R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) on behalf of students with disabilities who are caught up in the ongoing Providence school bus strike.
The complaints allege that the failure of the school district to honor its responsibility under the students’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to provide transportation to and from school violates federal and state laws protecting the students’ rights.
The details of the agreement are still being finalized. The agreement still must be ratified by members of the Teamsters Local 251.
Updated: 6:03 PM
Related Slideshow: School Bus Strike in Providence - September 2018
Related Articles
- School Bus Strike Explodes — As Much as $750K in Damages from Fire
- VIDEO: Elorza Has No Transportation Plan for Students as School Bus Drivers are Poised to Strike
- Witman Slams Elorza Over Lack of Leadership as Prov School Bus Drivers Move to Strike
- NEW: Fung Blames Raimondo for Not Intervening in Providence Bus Strike
- Providence Teamsters Bus Drivers to Strike Thursday UPDATED
- Parent of Special Needs Child Says Providence Is Offering No Support During School Bus Strike
- PHOTOS: School Bus Strike in Providence
- 10 Things You Need to Know About Providence School Bus Strike
- “Enough is Enough” - First Student Calls for Strike to End After Bus Fires
- Prov School Board’s Hemond on Bus Strike, School Safety, & Need for 12 Month School Calendar
- VIDEO: Providence Mom Makes Plea to End Bus Strike
- VIDEO: Legal Actions Taken on Behalf of Students with Disabilities Impacted by Bus Strike
- In Seattle, Teamsters and First Student’s School Bus Strike Battled for More Than a Week
- UPDATED: Elorza Invokes His “Political & Moral Authority”, Groups Threaten Legal Action in Strike
- UPDATED: School Bus Strike Thursday, Bus Co. Blames Teamsters, Witman Blasts Elorza
- Providence School Bus Drivers and Bus Company in Final Hours to Avert Strike
- BREAKING: Providence School Committee May Look to Replace First Student to End Bus Strike
- School Bus Drivers in Providence Reject Contract, Teamsters Poised to Strike
