East Providence School Buses May Hit Stop Sign

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The school buses may not be making the rounds in East Providence much longer. The union representing the drivers could vote on Monday to authorize a strike that would derail the mode of transportation most city students use to get to school.

Supt. Kathleen Crowley told the Providence Journal she was "very concerned" ahead of Monday's vote at a membership meeting. The members of Teamsters Local 251 are also expected to hold a picket line during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday. There are about 200 bus drivers in the system who drive the majority of the city's 14,000 students to school each day.

At issue is the union's contention that Ocean State Transit, which operates the bus system, shortens drivers' pay, does not pay them for all hours worked and that drivers lack health insurance, retirement plans and receive wages less than counterparts in neighboring cities and towns.

Ocean State Transit said it is looking forward to meeting with union representatives under the guidance of a federal mediator.