Mile Square Workers Vote for Strike Authorization

APRIL 28 -- School Bus drivers, monitors, and mechanics working for Mile Square Bus in Yonkers today voted unanimously to authorize a strike should negotiations with company owner Harry Rodriguez fail to make progress. Over 120 members crammed into the union’s new offices at 347 Saw Mill River Road for the tally. The vote was called by TWU Local 100 Administrative Vice President Angel Giboyeaux with the approval of the  school bus negotiating committee including rank and file members. Mile Square workers have been without a contract for years. Opposition to management’s demands intensified when they told Local 100 that they planned to bring in new workers at a lower pay rate. Other sticking points besides a general wage increase include a stalled grievance procedure and a 42-week guarantee of employment. No date for a strike was given. The strike vote authorization must now be approved by the entire TWU Local 100 Executive Board.