School bus strike could hit Kincardine area tomorrow

Educators and parents could be in for a struggle to get their children to school tomorrow (May 21) if school bus drivers go on strike.

A message from the Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce, states that First Student Canada has indicated the potential for a strike Thursday as the company continues to negotiate with Unifor, Ontario's largest school bus workers' union.

"These negotiations are neither with the local school boards nor the Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce," states the message. "Any labour disruptions as a result of continuing negotiations will impact First Student school buses servicing all schools in Kincardine, Port Elgin, and Southampton, plus Routes 868 and 869 into Owen Sound."

The consortium says that should a deal not be reached prior to Thursday's deadline, "parents/guardians whose children rely on school bus transportation from First Student on the routes listed above will need to make alternate transportation arrangements for their children.
 

"The Student Transportation Service Consortium of Grey-Bruce will provide updates on its website at www.brucegreyschoolbus.ca, its school bus cancellations website at https://stscgb.wordpress.com and through its Twitter feed at @GBSchoolBus as new information becomes available."

Meanwhile, St. Anthony's School in Kincardine has advised its parents/guardians of alternate plans to ensure students are safely dropped off at school in the morning and picked up at the end of the school day.

A letter from principal Janey Campbell states that the school will still have six buses coming from Young’s Bus Lines to drop off and pick up students and will leave this process as is. These bus numbers are: 170-174, 176.

 

"We ask that all parents drive into the round-about, stopping as close to the grass and front of the school as possible," says Campbell. "Buses may need to drive past the cars as they move to the west part of the lot. We will have students waiting on the grass closest to the church (east side) so parents can load their vehicles quickly, making room for the next vehicle.

 

"If you wish to get out of your vehicle when picking up or dropping off your child/children, then we ask you to park in the church parking lot and walk over to the school.

 

"Carpooling may be an effective and efficient strategy at this time. Please let us know your plans so we can ensure all students are accounted for each day and safe."

 

Campbell says students who are walkers will leave promptly at the 3:15 p.m. Drop-off is any time after 8:35 a.m. Students will be out at 3:20 p.m. for pick up so  parents are encouraged to be at the school at this time or within 10 minutes.

 

"We will be tracking the students as they are picked up, so if you have someone other than a parent picking them up, please contact the school," says Campbell. "We hope this strike action will be avoided or resolved quickly."