School Bus Driver Strike Averted: Sudbury, Wayland Schools Avoid Disruptions

This story has been updated with new information.

SUDBURY, MA — A national bus company that operates at some schools in Central Massachusetts has reached a tentative agreement with a labor union, after threats of a strike on Wednesday.

The Teamsters First Student National Negotiating Committee reached a strong tentative agreement with school bus company First Student, averting a nationwide strike that could have included thousands of school bus workers.

Last week, school bus workers at First Student yards across the U.S. voted to authorize a strike should the company fail to negotiate a fair contract with an expiration date of Tuesday, Mar. 31, according to Teamsters.

The group cited issues like retirement security, health care, minimum standards for guaranteed hours and paid time off.

The potential strike would have involved thousands of drivers for the company, including some in Sudbury and Wayland, according to a 7 News report.

Now, Teamsters said this new agreement establishes stronger retirement benefits, improved access to health care benefits and robust contractual protections for all members. Teamsters at First Student will have the opportunity to vote on the agreement in the coming weeks.

First Student also confirmed to Patch that it reached a tentative agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

"This proposal will now move through the union’s ratification process with the union bargaining team’s full support. There has been no disruption to service, and we will continue to operate as normal," the company wrote in a statement to Patch.

First Student is among the largest private school bus companies in the nation. Teamsters originally said it was forced to file an unfair labor practice charge against the company after the National First Student Master Agreement, which protects more than 17,000 bus workers, was set to expire on Mar. 31.

“This tentative agreement is the direct result of members standing shoulder to shoulder and refusing to settle for less,” said Matt Taibi, Director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division. “Workers showed the company they were prepared to strike if necessary, and that solidarity made the difference at the bargaining table."

Wayland Superintendent David Fleishman also confirmed on Tuesday that an agreement was reached between the two parties.

See Also:

• Wayland Gets $1.4M For 150-Year-Old Dam Rehabilitation Project
• See Sudbury Election 2026 Winners
• Wayland Earns Climate Leader Community Designation From State