Nassau bus strike hits 4 districts, Catholic schools

Workers at a Nassau County bus company began striking Monday morning amid a contract dispute, leaving students in four districts and some Catholic schools without rides.
Members of Transport Workers Union Local 252 told News 12 they had no choice but to stop bus service for the Freeport, Baldwin, Hicksville and Rockville Centre districts. The strike began at 5 a.m., when drivers for Baumann Bus Company walked off the job.
The union represents more than 300 Baumann drivers, monitors and maintenance workers.
The bus company has told News 12 that it offered two contracts and concessions to the union but failed to reach a deal. Major issues in the negotiations include guaranteed five-day work weeks, pay and sick time.
Negotiations are expected to resume Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Parents like Kristine Sacco, of Baldwin, are relying on relatives and a day off for Election Day to deal with transportation issues.
"Today my mom can pick her up," she says. "Tomorrow, thank God, they have off. I was considering even keeping her home from school if I couldn't do it, but the rest of the week I don't know."