WESTBOROUGH – Negotiations for a new school bus drivers’ contract between Teamsters Local 170 and NRT Bus are going down to the wire.
As of 9 p.m. Sunday, May 7, a settlement has been reached with drivers working with Framingham Public Schools, with talks continuing for Westborough and Marlborough drivers.
“To update everyone on the potential strike with NRT bus, we have reached an agreement for the Framingham districts but continue to negotiate for Westborough and Marlborough. We will update when we get something or if we strike. Local 170 is committed to getting this done and will stay here like we have all week,” according to a post on the Teamster Local 170 Facebook page.
“NRT is pleased to report that they have reached an agreement with Teamsters Local 170 on the contract in Framingham. Negotiations for Marlborough and Westborough continue,” said a spokesperson for NRT. “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.”
“I want to thank Mayor Sisitsky, Superintendent Dr. Robert Tremblay, and Executive Director of Finance and Operations, as well as their staffs and constituents, for their patience and support during this challenging and stressful period,” said Tim Sheehan, senior vice president of operations for New England.
Sheehan also expressed his sincere appreciation for the work of the RMV, DOT, and the Department of Education for all their efforts and support both in helping to avert a strike in Framingham and in aiding in the development of NRT’s contingency plans should a strike have occurred.
Should an agreement not be reached, drivers will picket in Westborough and Marlborough on Monday, May 8. Contingency plans are in place for both Marlborough and Westborough.
