MARLBOROUGH – The school bus drivers’ strike is over.
After walking the picket line for three days, members of Teamsters Local 170 reached a settlement with NRT Bus late on Wednesday, May 10.
Marlborough Public Schools and city officials announced the end of the strike via social media, as did representatives from the Teamsters.
“The Teamsters worked with the company over the last few hours to secure a contract the members deserve,” said Jim Marks, business agent for the local. “We would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the last three days and the dedication of the Marlborough drivers and monitors who fought to get a good solid contract with the protection they need.”
Terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed.
On Monday, May 8, more than 50 drivers working with Marlborough Public Schools walked off the job, forming picket lines at several locations, including the front of the high school.
In a statement, one of the drivers Cayla Dodd said that since coming back following the COVID-19 pandemic, working conditions had “steadily declined.” This includes a reduction of their working hours from 30 to 20; a new pay clock system; new policies that have chipped into their working hours and giving less time to perform adequate safety inspections; SPED and minibus drivers were left out of a contract that increased wages to $34 an hour; and safety issues.
