PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Providence school bus drivers are now in the fourth day of their strike.
Mayor Jorge Elorza has planned a joint press conference with school officials to discuss the issue Tuesday. The union that represents 200 bus drivers, Teamsters Local 251, began the strike Thursday after negotiations with management over retirement benefits failed.
The Providence School Department considered student absences in the first days of the strike as “excused absences.” Superintendent Christopher Maher says the district may extend the policy if the strike continues.
Police say a 13-year-old girl who was riding a bike to school because of the strike was struck and injured by a car last week. Authorities say the student normally takes the bus.
The strike has left thousands of students without a way to get to class.
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