School bus strike averted in Framingham, negotiations continue in Westboro
FRAMINGHAM - A school bus driver strike was averted Sunday evening in Framingham and Westboro, but the union confirmed it's still on in Marlboro.
For days, bus drivers in Framingham, Marlboro and Westboro have been at odds with their employer, bus company NRT. The two sides have been negotiating better wages for drivers, putting three school districts and students at risk of losing transportation. Sunday evening, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky interrupted a scheduled press conference to announce a deal.
"Potentially, we could have had thousands of students not come to school for the duration that the strike may have lasted," said Framingham Public Schools Superintendent Robert Tremblay. And there might have been steps taken from there. Fortunately, as we understand it and heard it all together, in real time, that is not the case. But we were prepared for the worst, hoping for the best. And as it turns out, the best has come to fruition."
Teamsters Union Local 170 said Sunday night, Marlboro and Westboro are still negotiating a new contract and bus drivers plan to strike in Marlboro.
"Bus drivers have to be focused all the time," said Teamsters Officer Jim Marks. "They have some of the most precious cargo that we have, our own kids, our loved ones. So we're dedicated to get it done, we're dedicated to be here, hopefully NRT is as well."
NRT also released a statement, saying, "The attention now shifts to the Marlborough and Westborough contracts, where the dedicated NRT team continues to focus on their number-one priority: transporting children to and from school safely every day."