One of the nation’s largest school bus companies has announced it is closing its doors after union members voted to reject a contract that would have kept the company in business.
With its labor costs among the highest in the nation, Atlantic Express, a Staten Island, NY bus company attempted to negotiate a new contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union.
However, union members rejected the deal last week.
The city opened up the 4,100 school bus routes to bidding and for the first time non-union companies could compete.
The city of Portland is currently negotiating with the teachers union and school bus drivers are negotiating with First Student. Drivers, members of the ATU rejected the last contract offer. It now appears likely both teachers and drivers will strike after January 6, 2014. Is the answer to go the non-union route and is Portland looking at a repeat of New York? Stay tuned.
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