Court decision could affect future of school bus strike

As the school bus strike lingers on, a labor board is stepping to hear a complaint by the affected bus companies.

The National Labor Relations Board is expected to make a decision Tuesday on a complaint filed by the bus companies that contends the strike by Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union is illegal.

The union, which represents more than 8,000 school bus workers who have not worked since Wednesday -- continues to demand the city guarantee Employee Protection Provision in bids for 1,100 school bus contracts. The provision would mandate that the current union drivers would get hired by the companies that win the bids.

The mayor said the bids, which haven't taken place in 33 years, would cut down on the city's $1.1 billion annual school bus costs and the courts ruled EPP is illegal.

Public schools are closed Monday in hour of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.