Steve Sousa, the Secretary Treasurer  for Local 618 which represents the Warwick bus drivers union, told the Warwick Beacon Thursday night that there won’t be a “strike,” by its rank and file on Friday. 

On Wednesday night the School Department sent out an email to parents and guardians stating “we are writing to let you know that today, Wednesday Oct.13, First Student advised us that, although they continue negotiations with the union representing Warwick school bus drivers,  no agreement has been reached and the possibility of a work stoppage exists, potentially starting on Friday, Oct.15. At this time nothing is certain but we wanted to give families the most advanced notice possible. Please understand that the School Committee, the City, and School Administration are not participants in the ongoing negotiations. We strongly urge the two parties to reach an agreement and we have been assured by First Student that they are working diligently to avoid any disruption to service.” 

While an agreement hasn’t been made by the Union and First Student yet, Sousa said that their contract extension is through Friday. 

“The last thing we want to do is strike,” Sousa said. 

Sousa, who said that he has school aged children himself said that they don’t want to hurt the kids. 

“The last thing I want to do is disrupt service,” Sousa said. 

Sousa also said on Thursday night that the Union didn't take a vote to strike before their  meeting. 

“(We) absolutely didn’t take a strike vote," Sousa said before the Union meeting on Thursday night. 

Following the meeting Thursday night, Frank McMahon a spokesperson for First Student issued the following statement.

"First Student has conducted 14 negotiating sessions with the leadership of ATU Local 618 since April 2021. We were encouraged when we reached a tentative agreement late this afternoon. 

We are disappointed to learn that the union has chosen to reject the very generous wage and benefits package that we presented to them today. That package included:

  Average wage increases of 30% over the 3-year term of the contact.

  Top pay reaching $27.25 per hour for   experienced drivers.

  Increased guaranteed hours paid. 

 A 30-minute guarantee for extra-work.

  A 29 percent increased 401K contributions. 

  A 33 percent  increase in life insurance benefits.

 Paid holiday gift cards and holiday party contributions.

Reduced pay tiers from 4 to 3.

Reaching longevity in 7 year vs the current 10 year structure. 

 We believe the offer contained in the tentative agreement is a very competitive compensation and benefits package for our dedicated Warwick school bus drivers. Fortunately, the union has agreed to continue negotiations through October 22nd, so there will be no disruption to student bus service next week. First Student remains committed to remaining at the negotiating table and to reaching a fair and equitable new contract agreement for our valued Warwick school bus drivers."