Via CBS News:
Hundreds of Boston public school bus drivers surprisingly walked off the job Tuesday morning in a labor dispute, catching many families and even the mayor off guard.
CBS Boston reports that approximately 15,000 students were stranded when 300 of the bus drivers’ union 700 members refused to work.
Boston Public Schools called the move “an illegal work action” to protest safety and performance improvements.
Only 30 of the city’s 650 school buses were actually on the road Tuesday morning.
The school system sent out automated phone calls to all families , but it came too late, according to most parents.
All schools remained open, but students who checked in late or who were absent were excused for the day.
The drivers work for the city’s bus contractor Veolia Transportation, which has had no comment yet about the strike.
UPDATE:
Looks like 8751 Steelworkers represents the bus drivers. Stevan Kirschbaum is the grievance committee chairman for 8751.
UPDATE:
National Office Of United Steelworkers has condemned the strike saying all drivers should return to work tomorrow. No clue why this condemnation and return to work order comes from Steelworkers.
UPDATE:
Video of Stevan Kirschbaum, spokesperson for the strike praising Mao, Marx, Lenin, Che and Castro as prominent revolutionaries who have contributed to the struggle of oppressed people’s everywhere.
UPDATE:
Stevan Kirschbaum (spokesperson) is actually chairman of United Steelworkers Union Local 8751. He is not a bus driver.