Mayor Picozzi Warns Warwick Could Be Facing School Bus Strike by Friday
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Warwick schools may be thrust into chaos in the next few days as the school bus drivers union appears to be poised to go on strike.
Mayor Frank Picozzi is warning parents that the strike may be imminent.
In Providence, a bus drivers strike in September of 2018 lasted more than two weeks and low marks included a 13-year-old girl who rode her bike to school during the strike being hit by a car and buses being burned in the bus yard.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWarwick drivers are represented by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 618 and they are butting heads with the school bus company contracted to provide service in Warwick. The company in both Providence and Warwick is First Student, based out of Columbus, Ohio.
Picozzi on Wednesday night said that the impasse is serious and that an email by the Warwick School Department was accurate.
"This email was sent out to parents this evening. The school administration informed me of the situation hours ago. The email is very accurate. The bus company has given the school department this information and the school department has very prudently released it so parents can be prepared for the worst," wrote Picozzi.
"This contract dispute is between the bus company and the union representing the drivers. They have a negotiating session scheduled for tomorrow. I spoke to the union leadership today and have offered to meet with their membership and if both sides agree I will get involved in the negotiations," added Picozzi.
First Student spokesperson Frank McMahon on Thursday issued the following statement.
"First Student appreciates our dedicated Warwick school bus drivers and that is why we are continuing to negotiate in good faith with Local 618. We have another negotiating session scheduled for today and look forward to reaching a mutually acceptable contract agreement as soon as possible," said McMahon.
Warwick School Department Warns Parents
Specifically, Picozzi cites a message to parents from the Warwick Public Schools, who wrote, “We are writing to let you know that today, Wednesday, October 13th, First Student advised us that although they continue negotiations with the union representing Warwick school bus drivers, no agreement has been reached and the possibility of a work stoppage exists potentially starting on Friday, October 15th."
"At this time nothing is certain but we wanted to give families the most advanced notice possible. Please understand that the School Committee, the City and School Administration are not participants in ongoing negotiations. We strongly urge the two parties to reach an agreement and we have been assured by First Student that they are working diligently to avoid any disruption to service. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will notify families immediately when more information is available," added the School Department.
First published 10/14/21 7:22 AM
Updated 10/14/21 11:53 AM
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