The last time New York City School Bus Drivers were on strike was 1979. Yesterday, New York City Bus Drivers went on strike for a simple reason, job protection. The growing trend in our country to find a "better deal" and save money by tossing workers' rights and lives aside, is outright inexcusable. A heads up to Mayor Bloomberg, you're not saving money or doing your city any good when you try to implement policy that degrades the lives of thousands of New York City residents. Allison Kilkenny of the Nation sums it up best:
Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, is asking for Employment Protection Provisions to be included in the new contract to protect workers from losing their jobs to newer, cheaper labor.
It matters because how we treat those who care for certain children reflects how we value those children. It creates a system in which workers entrusted to be responsible for a child’s safety are utterly replaceable in the name of protecting the bottom line.
UFCW Local 1500 President, Bruce Both, has called and written a letter to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, expressing our disgust and disappointment in the administration's actions.
Support striking Bus Drivers by signing the petition or heading to a picket line to stand with thousands of workers fighting to protect their jobs, livelihoods and families.
