Union sits down with school bus companies at Gracie Mansion over strike

Despite starting talks with the school bus companies Monday, the union representing the employees says only the mayor can end the work stoppage.

Michael Cordiello, president of Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said the meeting at Gracie Mansion was a step in the right direction but reiterated that he needed to speak to Mayor Michael Bloomberg directly before he tells his 8,000 members to get back to work.

"Despite what the mayor and his administration have said, his involvement in the process is not only completely legal, but is necessary to move toward a resolution and end this strike," Cordiello said in a statement.

Bloomberg's office repeated the mayor's stance on the nearly two-week strike that the dispute is between the union and the companies and that he won't get directly involved.

The city says it can't put employee protection provisions the union wants in the bids because the courts deemed it illegal.