Council Calls for Employee Protection in School Bus Contracts

Hoping to avoid further labor strife with school bus drivers, 32 New York City Council members have signed a letter urging the state Legislature to sign into law a bill that would make the Employee Protection Provision (EPP) mandatory in city school bus contracts.

The EPP was at the heart of last year's month-long strike, as former mayor Michael Bloomberg eliminated the provision, which guaranteed drivers and escorts that if a private bus company--contracted with the Department of Education--took over their route, they would retain their seniority rights, as well as their salary and benefits. 

A third of the industry's workforce has been lost and replaced without the EPP, and the Post reports that union officials estimate another 3,000 members could be out of work. 

The 32 Council members, which includes Labor Committee Chair Daneek Miller and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, calls for the passage of a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell and state Sen. Martin Dilan, that would make the EPP mandatory in school bus contracts.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has previously stated that he believes in the EPP, even criticizing Bloomberg for not waiting until a new administration took over before deciding on getting rid of the provision, but has yet to commit to the effort.