More than 8,000 school bus drivers and matrons are on strike over job protection.
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
The National Labor Relations Board which had been reviewing the strike by union school bus drivers and matrons in New York City said on Friday that the strike is legal.
The Board rejected a complaint by a group of 20 private bus companies who argued that they were caught in a dispute between the union and the city.
The strike does not violate the National Labor Relations Act because the union has a primary labor dispute with the employers, according to the NLRB.
The Board says it prohibits unions from striking secondary employers in order to pressure the employer with whom they have a dispute.
More than 8,000 drivers and matrons of yellow school buses in New York City went on strike Jan. 16 leaving more than 150,000 students to find alternative transportation.
Members of Amalgamated Transit Workers Union Local 1181 are striking over job protection after the City put the school bus contract up for bid.
"We spend $6,500 per student per year. Since 1979, no administration has re-bid this contract. They do not want another company to come in, under bid and they might or might not have the same workers. They want us to guarantee that anyone who comes in gives them the same jobs at the same salary at the same seniority. We've had 12 judges rule that's illegal," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Bus companies and union leaders met at Gracie Mansion last week in an effort to resolve the strike. A mediator conducted the meeting. The only thing agreed upon was that the Bloomberg administration should join the negotiations, said union leaders.
"It's up to their employers to decide who they hire. They're free to negotiate a contract, but that's their job," said Bloomberg.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:34 AM EDT2013-06-19 09:34:12 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.