FAQ's from DOE website

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The following is from the DoE website ... http://schools.nyc.gov/ParentsFamilies/yellowbusinfo111811


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DOE doing?
The DOE's Pre-K busing contracts expire in June 2012 and the DOE has released a bid for new competitive contracts. The bid will not contain an employee protection provision—something the bus drivers' union has sought to guarantee civil service-type seniority rights for employees in the event that their current employers (the bus companies) who now have DOE contracts do not win the new bid. The union has threatened to strike without this provision.

When was the last time DOE put out a Pre-K bus bid?
DOE put out a bid for Pre-K busing in 2008 which for the first time contained an employee protection provision. But the bus companies currently holding the contracts sued the DOE, and ultimately the highest State court found that including the provision was illegal and anti-competitive.

Why is this bid necessary?
A public bid for this Pre-K busing contract is in the interest of both our students and the taxpayers and we need to bid it now in order to have a contract in place by the start of the 2012 school year.

Aren't you taking away seniority rights of unionized workers by doing this?
No, New York's highest court ruled that these provisions may not be included in the bid solicitation. Moreover, Pre-K busing contracts have never included EPPs.

How many children would be impacted by a system-wide strike?
152,339 children would be impacted. This includes 13,657 Pre-K, special education students.