MIDDLETOWN – Teamsters Local 445, the union representing school bus drivers and mechanics, has put on hold a threatened strike against the Middletown Enlarged City School District after some progress in negotiations on Tuesday.
Over 110 employees would be involved in any work stoppage against the private company that provides the student transportation for the district.
“We have a long way to go, but we felt a significant improvement during our discussions Tuesday,” said union representative Jerry Ebert.
A federal mediator involved in the talks on Tuesday asked the union to delay any strike at least until after the next bargaining session, he said. “We honored his wish out of respect for his effort.”
Ebert said the mechanics have already voted to strike, but the drivers would not be asked to vote by secret ballot for a strike unless all avenues of discussion have failed. He said the strike could take place as early as next Tuesday evening; the Teamsters have pledged to give 18 hours notice to the school district before any strike so that families could make alternate transportation plans.
The main issues in the labor dispute include a “meaningful raise,” better benefits and a system for the bus drivers to bid for any additional available runs in order of seniority, Ebert said.
The mechanics voted for Teamster representation in November 2014; the bus drivers in June 2015.
