Bus Drivers Seeking $30million in Back Pay Compensation
Puerto Rico school bus drivers are in the process of planning a strike in Puerto Rico, pressing the government to pay $30 million in back wages they claim were not rightfully paid. Union spokesman Carlos Ramirez says the school bus drivers represented will begin their strike in around the island Monday, if demands are not met.
Officials say the $2 billion budget deficit is making it more difficult for them to pay millions of dollars owed to employees and contractors. Drivers do not feel that the budget shortfall is in any way their problem, so they just want the pay their due for the work they have already done.
Negotiations have yet to begin, but there doesn't appear to be an agreeable solution on the immediate horizon. Some have speculated that the government doesn't believe, or doesn't care about the threats made by the union, especially considering the large and growing number of other government and contract branches that also have gone without full pay.
Union rep Ramirez said Saturday that more than 400 union bus drivers, responsible for more than 60% of the island's 610,000 students, will participate in the strike.
The schools have not yet made any alternative plans to accommodate the potential strike, though officials have said they will respond the circumstances as they arise.
Families with children enrolled in Puerto Rico public schools are warned that they may be well advised to make other travel accommodations now, before the matter comes to fruition.
