About 250 Bayport-Blue Point students and their families would have to find other ways to school if their regular bus drivers go on strike in the coming days, district officials said.
That number makes up about 63 percent of the almost 400 children who use buses in the district, with most of the potentially affected students being enrolled in the middle school.
“The district is in discussions to arrange alternate transportation plans for students affected by a potential strike,” said Bayport-Blue Point Superintendent Vincent Butera. “However, unless a strike officially occurs, no cross contracts can be signed and plans cannot be finalized.”
A dozen students in the Patchogue-Medford district would be affected, officials there said.
News 12 Long Island reported Thursday night that ongoing labor negotiations between the bus operators, Baumann & Sons Buses Inc./Acme Bus Corp., and the Teamsters Local 1205 will continue next week.
The Patchogue-Medford School District contracts with Montauk Bus Company for its large buses and Town Bus Company for its mini buses, though it goes through BOCES to transport 12 students who are in private placements, school officials said.
Those students are transported by ACME, through BOCES, and would be impacted.
The union is reportedly fighting with the company for more pay and better working conditions. The company denied that claim in a statement, News 12 reports.
It was not immediately clear if any South Country students would be affected.
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