Montreal school boards compensating parents during ongoing Transco school bus driver strike
Posted January 10, 2024 11:14 am.
The two major English school boards in Montreal affected by the ongoing school bus driver strike will be compensating parents.
The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) have informed parents they will be reimbursed for service disruptions.
Some 350 Transco drivers have been on unlimited, general strike since Oct. 31. They are looking to negotiate higher salaries.
The job action has disrupted the commute of around 20,000 students from the EMSB, the LBPSB and the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school service centre.
RELATED: TRANSCO school bus strike to continue for Montreal-area after holiday break
In a letter to parents Tuesday, the LBPSB said families would be compensated retroactive to Oct. 31.
“If your child is entitled to bussing as per the LBPSB transportation policy, a reimbursement of $7 per child per day will be paid. If your child receives bus services through our courtesy or accommodation bussing, the daily amount you paid will be reimbursed,” the school board wrote in a letter to parents Tuesday.
“Please note that strike days and pedagogical days are not included in the reimbursement.”
The school board says it is working on a distribution method for the payment, with more information coming next week.
The EMSB is now opting to do the same and informed parents in a letter Wednesday.
The school board will reimburse parents $7 per school, also retroactive to Oct. 31.
“If several children from the same family attend the same school, an allowance per child will be paid,” the EMSB wrote.
Not included in the compensation amount are days when the school was closed, or teacher strike days.
“We are aware that this compensation will never replace the regular day to day transportation services, but we are hoping that it will help cover certain related costs for all EMSB families,” the school board wrote.
Negotiations are ongoing between the Transco bus drivers, represented by the CSN union, and their employer. Dozens of school bus drivers picketed outside the Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) Tuesday – the same day students returned from winter break.
