Union Prepares To Set Strike Date For Long Island School Bus Drivers

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some Long Island school bus drivers will set a work strike deadline this week.

As WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, there's been little progress in ongoing contract negotiations between Ronkonkoma-based Baumann & Sons, one of Long Island's largest school bus operators, and the union representing about 1,200 drivers.

Teamsters Local 1205 President Timothy Lynch said a firm date will be established this week. If there is no progress, workers will strike, he said in a statement.

Listen to Union Prepares To Set Strike Date For Long Island School Bus Drivers

A strike would affect about 15,000 students in 35 Long Island districts.

Unresolved issues are said to involve salary and safety concerns.

Drivers currently earn $11 to $13. A driver told Xirinachs earlier this month that is not a livable wage.

"First of all, we don't really work full-time," the driver said. "Most of us work less than 30 hours a week. It's a lot of responsibility."